A, B
ALAAAO
CONFIDENTIAL
Sceators of State
&6x
6
From:
A R Paul
Hong Kong Department
HKB 020/14
Date: 23 May 1989
Private Secretary
lowili
CC:
PS/Lord Glenarthur
Mr Gillmore
Mr McLaren
Mr Millington, FED
DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA: IMPACT ON HONG KONG
1.
It is too early to assess the likely impact on Hong Kong of
developments in China. But the Secretary of State might appreciate preliminary thoughts. He will in particular wish to see Hong Kong
telnos 1680 and 1681, reporting the latest reactions in Hong Kong
and the mood of EXCO.
2.
The main events in Hong Kong relating directly to the
situation in China have been:
(a) Street demonstrations
Despite typhoon conditions, some
500,000 people demonstrated on 21 May in sympathy with the Peking
students. The scale took many people by surprise. It probably reflected principally a desire to demonstrate solidarity with fellow Chinese rather than specifically Hong Kong concerns. The numbers involved were of course considerably larger than those of any pro-democracy demonstrations that have ever taken place in Hong
Kong.
There
(b) Resignations from the Basic Law Drafting Committee
have been two resignations from the BLDC: that of Louis Cha
(Co-Convener of the Special Group on the Political Structure)
and Bishop Kwong (who occupies a place in the middle of the political spectrum). It is Louis Cha's resignation which has
attracted the most attention. He is a leading proponent of the
CONFIDENTIAL