Reference
UNCLASSIFIED
including the fortnightly discussions on the BL by the NPC deputy Liao Yaozhu. He had not been able himself to participate as he was a Christian and they took place on Sundays.
3. The BL was now a year old and there had been many changes in Hong Kong. There had been much suspicion and rumour generated and there was also the question of emigration. He was not opposed to emigration. Hong Kong was a fine place and many people did not actually intend to leave Hong Kong altogether. In his opinion it was a question of confidence. It should be realised that the relationship between Hong Kong and the mainland was very close and indissoluble. When Hong Kong did well that was of benefit to the mainland. What possible advantage could there be to China if Hong Kong was in chaos and the foreign investors left? There was therefore every reason to believe that the central government wished the best for Hong Kong and the best way to achieve this was by not changing the present system.
4.
The second article was by Qian Weichang, a Vice Chairman of the CPPCC. He saw the BL as wiping out the shame that China had endured in the last century and a half of colonial exploitation. He went into some detail of the drafting process showing how the BL guaranteed the safe return of sovereignty to China. During the four years of its drafting the BL had encountered a number of difficulties, but it had won the respect of the people of Hong Kong and of the world, and had the good will and co-operation of the Hong Kong British Government. He went on to make a similar point about the close relationship between Hong Kong and the mainland. Their interests were basically the same.
R Wye
OAB 2/124 Tel: 210-6219
Far Eastern Section
Research and Analysis Department
19 April 91
UNCLASSIFIED