CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 27093OZ FCO
TELNO 957
OF 27070OZ MARCH 91
CONFIDENTIAL
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
027031
MDHIAN 9772
HKC020/2
for unl chira.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG: THE PUBLIC MOOD.
SUMMARY
1. THE GRADUAL RECOVERY IN PUBLIC SENTIMENT FROM THE DESPONDENCY OF 1989 HAS CONTINUED, DESPITE FURTHER PUBLIC CHALLENGES TO HONG KONG'S AUTONOMY BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IN RECENT MONTHS. THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PRC AND THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK REMAIN THE TWO MAIN DETERMINANTS OF THE PUBLIC MOOD.
RELATIONS WITH THE PRC
2. THE DESPONDENCY OF 1989 HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A PRAGMATIC DETERMINATION TO MAKE THE BEST OF WHATEVER THE FUTURE MIGHT HOLD. FOR SOME, THIS MEANS EMIGRATION (POLLS HAVE CONSISTENTLY REPORTED THAT ABOUT 15 PER CENT OF RESPONDENTS HAVE PLANS TO EMIGRATE). BUT FOR THE MAJORITY, IT MEANS PREPARING FOR A FUTURE AS CITIZENS OF A HONG KONG WHICH IS PART OF THE PRC. THIS GROUP'S PRIORITIES HAVE BECOME ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL STABILITY.
3. THERE IS A WIDESPREAD PERCEPTION THAT HONG KONG HAS ENTERED A NEW PHASE IN THE TRANSITION TO CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY. THE MAIN ISSUES RELATING TO THE TERRITORY'S FUTURE ARE SEEN AS HAVING BEEN SETTLED. WHAT REMAINS IS A STRUGGLE TO PRESERVE INTACT FOR THE SAR AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE OF HONG KONG'S PRESENT WAY OF DOING THINGS.
4. THE POLITICALLY ALERT SEE BEYOND THE RECENT PADS-RELATED CONTROVERSIES. THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION FOR THE FUTURE IS THE EVOLUTION OF A RELATIONSHIP WITH PEKING THAT WILL ALLOW HONG KONG'S ADMINISTRATION, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1997, TO ENJOY THE FREEDOM NEEDED TO MANAGE THE TERRITORY'S AFFAIRS EFFECTIVELY. THE COMMUNITY HOPES THAT YOUR VISIT TO PEKING WILL RESULT IN AN ACCEPTABLE ACCOMMODATION ON THE IMMEDIATE ISSUES WITHOUT THE NEED FOR MAJOR COMPROMISES ON AUTONOMY.
5.
ALTHOUGH HMG/HKG ARE SEEN AS BEING IN A POSITION TO RESIST PRC
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