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eg, job security, pensions, etc. Only in this way could a real dialogue be established and worries dispersed. More
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fundamentally, he thought that the problem lay in Hong Kong's perception of China. The typical mainland Chinese was seen as a figure of contempt commonly known as "Ah Chaan" a crude and boorish peasant, with vulgar manners and none of the quick wittedness and sophistication of Hong Kong people. It would never be easy to bridge that cultural gap.
5.
On developments in Legco, he thought that the situation would get worse before it got better. He did not know what the solution was. He accepted that a degree of politicisation was inevitable, but it should not be allowed to get out of hand: it should not jeopardise the efficient running of Hong Kong. There were now too many players on the field and the exact division of responsibility between the Hong Kong Government, LegCo, UrbCo, advisory bodies, such as the Housing Authority, etc, was unclear. He saw a real danger that the decision-making process would grind to a halt. The Hong Kong Government needed to reassert its authority and streamline the system.
6. I asked him about the Airport Consultative Committee, of which he was a member. He said that Britain and China needed to decide what use they wished to make of such a body. If it was to be more than mere window-dressing, its membership would have to be taken more seriously. They needed more information about the Hong Kong Government's plans, so that they could give their informed advice. This could be done without delaying the project, if the information reached them soon enough. He thought the ACC might divide into sub-committees in order to facilitate their work.
7.
Leung said he was a frequent visitor to China (he is employed as an adviser to Shenzhen and Hainan on land matters, and lectures in Guangzhou and Shenzhen in his specialist field (surveying)).
8.
. He is also a fairly regular visitor to the UK (he studied at Bristol University for three years). His next visit to Britain is scheduled for March/April of this year. He readily agreed, when I suggested that he might like to see one or two people in London during his next visit.
ARPam
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A R Paul