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025062
MDLIAN
THERE WAS PROOF THAT THE PROJECT WAS FEASIBLE, IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THE CHINESE MIGHT USE THE LAND FUND TO SHORE UP THE PROJECT IN A BID TO SHOW CHINA'S SUPPORT TO IT. THE SOURCES SAID THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AT PRESENT WAS MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PROJECT.
FCO MINISTER'S VISIT
5. THE FCO MINISTER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD CAITHNESS, ARRIVED IN HONG KONG FOR A SIX-DAY VISIT, THE MEDIA (16.9) REPORTED IN GOOD COVERAGE. SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON HIS ARRIVAL, LORD CAITHNESS SAID HE WANTED TO HAVE A GOOD LOOK AROUND IN HONG KONG AND TO MEET PEOPLE. LORD CAITHNESS MADE IT CLEAR THAT ALTHOUGH THERE MIGHT BE A CHANGE OF MINISTER, THERE WAS NOT A CHANGE OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT SO THAT POLICIES WERE GOING TO CONTINUE. HE SAID THAT IF HONG KONG PEOPLE WANTED A BRITISH GOVERNMENT THAT WOULD SUPPORT THEM, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WOULD DO THAT.
1991 ELECTIONS
6. A CHINESE SOURCE SAID THAT THE CHINESE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE 1991 ELECTIONS AND WOULD ENCOURAGE EMPLOYEES OF THE CHINA- FUNDED COMPANIES TO REGISTER AS VOTERS, THE MEDIA (13.9) REPORTED. HOWEVER, THE SOURCE SAID THAT THE CHINESE HAD NOT YET DECIDED WHETHER THEY WOULD SUPPORT CANDIDATES TO RUN IN THE ELECTIONS. A FEW REPORTS ATTRIBUTED THIS TO A VICE DIRECTOR OF THE NCNA HONG KONG BRANCH, ZHENG HUA.
7. THE SOURCE SAID THAT THE CHINESE WOULD SUPPORT 'FRIENDLY' PEOPLE TO TAKE PART IN THE THREE-TIER ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR. CHINA WOULD USE PUBLIC VIEWS TO BACK THOSE CANDIDATES WHO WERE COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING HONG KONG'S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY. HOWEVER, THE CHINESE WOULD NOT GIVE FINANCIAL SPONSORSHIP TO CANDIDATES. SHOULD THE LIBERALS CHANGE THEIR STAND, THE CHINESE WOULD WELCOME SUCH A MOVE ANY TIME. CHINA WOULD WELCOME EVEN THE ALL HONG KONG ALLIANCE IN SUPPORT OF THE PATRIOTIC PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT IN CHINA, IF IT CHANGED ITS STAND. CHAIRMAN OF THE UNITED DEMOCRATS IN HONG KONG MARTIN LEE SAID THAT THEY WELCOMED PRO-CHINA GROUPS TO FIELD CANDIDATES IN THE 1991 DIRECT ELECTIONS TO LEGCO, THE PAPERS (17.9) REPORTED. HOWEVER, IF THE CHINESE CAME OUT TO SUPPORT ANY GROUP OR CANDIDATE, THEY WOULD VIOLATE THE JD AND WOULD BE REGARDED AS MEDDLING IN HONG KONG AFFAIRS.
NATIONALITY
8. SING PAO AND WAH KIU YAT PO (17.9) REPORTED IN GOOD COVERAGE
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