GF 323
CONFIDENTIAL
Weekly Information Report
Week ending 17 April 1991
The Future
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Mr Strace
Pa pads
GYUA
General HKB 182 / 4
The report, which was dominated by Sino-British-Hong Kong
Relations (10 WIRS), contains information from the Hong Kong and Kowloon
regions.
Sino-British-Hong Kong Relations
2.
The vast majority of respondents across the Urban region,
expressed disappointment that the British Foreign Secretary's visit
to China had failed to produce any concrete agreement on the PADS project.
The majority of them were however comforted in their belief, that Britain
had not sold out Hong Kong's interest in its endeavour to
reach agree-
ment with China. The consensus of opinion by respondents was that
the autonomy and independence of HKG was of vital importance. Some
were of the view that China should be consulted on projects which
straddled 1997, but the vast majority firmly believed that HKG's authority
in decision making, must not be compromised, and there was overwhelming
support for HMG/HKG's interpretation of " consultation " in the Joint
Declaration.
Although some respondents felt that PADS could be shelved
if China did not support the project, the majority were optimistic that
an agreement would be reached at the end of the day by CPG/HMG.
A recent statement made by a senior Chinese official about comments made
by OMELCO members; regarding Sino-British talks concerning the airport
project, whilst talks in Peking were continuing, drew a strong reaction
from respondents. They considered the remarks objectionable, and
felt very strongly that freedom to express one's view on Hong Kong
matters must be respected and maintained at all costs.
3.
Contacts in Wan Chai wanted to see a decision on the air-
port, one way or another, as the current impasse, if prolonged, would undermine the confidence of both local and international investors in
the Territory. Some however, whilst recognising the economic sig- nificance of the project, shared the concern of the CPG, on the afford- ability of the multi-million dollar project.
CONFIDENTIAL
/ 4. Respondents...
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