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consensus that Hong Kong
should move more quickly towards a directly elected legislature. But it is by no means clear how deep in the community this change of attitude goes, ΠΟΥ how long-lasting it will be. The subject remains of real interest only to a minority. It is supported not so much on its own merits as a means of running Hong Kong affairs in a more generally acceptable way, but because it is seen as a form of protection against interference by China. At the same time it is being increasingly recognised that democratic government alone is not an adequate protection against a Chinese Government that is prepared
be ruthless. And many continue to be concerned that too much change introduced too quickly will affect Hong Kong's stability.
Public Attitudes to HKG and HMG
to
16.
The Hong Kong Government was in the curious position of having to control and respond to demonstrations that were not directed at events within the territory but rather at those well outside our ability to influence. Initially we deliberately took a studiously neutral position. The Royal Hong Kong Police Force handled the enormous crowds with a degree of sensitivity and flexibility that was rightly appreciated by the organisers. But when the military crackdown took place, the Government as a whole had to take a more active role. I made two public statements on Sunday 4 June (one for the domestic audience and one for Hong Kong communities overseas), expressing shock and sadness at the events in Peking and referring to the dignified response of the people of Hong Kong. On the following day, we chartered a plane to fly Hong Kong residents out of Peking. Both the Financial Secretary and the Secretary for Monetary Affairs appealed to investors not to create a run on Chinese-owned banks and thereby endanger the banking system as a whole.
17. My
aims at this emotional and uncertain time were to assure the people of Hong Kong that their Government understood and shared their feelings and, at the same time,
to try to get over the message that, despite these terrible events, life in Hong Kong had to go on. This is a pragmatic community and it responded pragmatically by eschewing a diet of continuing mass demonstrations, helped to some extent by the disorders in Mongkok on 6/7 June and a holiday for the Dragon Boat Festival on 8 June. In many ways Hong Kong has now returned to normal, but only on the surface.
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