202 09:30 INFORMATION SERVICES DEPT
7852 521 7725" P.
2 Feb
Con ser
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ENGLISH MEDIA
ATTACKS ON REFORMS
A new salvo of criticism from Chinese officials on the Patten blueprint topped the news in both English dailies. With the headline "Reforms under fire on eve of Exco talks", the Post highlighted a dispatch from NCNA HK branch which carried a host of warnings listed in the February issue of pro- Peking magazine "Bauhinia" stating China's accusation on Britain of using the "three-legged stool" trick of allowing HK a say on matters which were purely the prerogative of Peking and London. China also criticised Mr Patten for escalating the confrontation by planning to table his package in Legco later this month. HKS played up local NCNA vice-director Zhang Junsheng's warning that Exco and Legco members had no right to decide political reforms and their deliberations on the reform package would be in vain.
Both papers carried remarks by local NCNA director Zhou Nan at the agency's spring reception: Mr Zhou reiterated that China would not give way and it would not "barter away principles" on "these cardinal issues between right and wrong". The Post. quoted a senior HK-based mainland official as saying in a veiled attack on the Foreign Secretary. Douglas Hurd, that it was wrong for a senior British politician to say the time for the two sides to resolve HK problems had gone. Both papers also carried Zhang Junsheng's remarks which condemned the statement. without naming Mr Hurd, as "carrying serious implications" which would/tanta
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The Post noted that China's attack came as fears grew of dissent in Exco on the reform plans. But it had been suggested that unrest within Exco was being marshalled by senior member Lady Dunn, who was understood to have the support of Raymond Ch'ien. Felice Lieh-mak and Tung Chee-wah. Both papers noted that the stock market continued to fall on the back of political fears, with the Hang Seng Index closing 53 points down on 5.697.
HKS noted that the pro-Peking DAB revealed that it would not co-operate with other political parties to exert pressure on the British and Chinese governments over the political row. But ADPL had embarked upon a drive to promote their counter-proposals and to find common ground among legislators. DAB's Cheng Kai-nam said a united stance by all parties would not be instrumental in solving the deadlock. The paper also noted that there was no progress on political common ground in the fourth joint meeting among UDHK, ADPL and Meeting Point.
In a related development. ADPL had urged the Government to put its controversial reform package and other counter-proposals to the JLG for discussion before it was tabled to Legco, the Post noted. Reports said the move came close to the ideas put forward by DAB on how to solve the present deadlock, though the latter insisted Mr Patten's proposals should be scrapped first.
CATHAY PACIFIC
The Post noted prominently that disgruntled Cathay Pacific cabin crew who took part in the strike had begun a campaign to oust the FAU chairman, David Ngan, and vice-chairman, Courtney Chong.
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