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2-4-93: 10:11:
MINISTER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG
"The Governor's proposals - and, of course, the Governor personally - has the total support of the British Government. And his proposals have been discussed in close detail at every stage here. He has the absolute support of the British Government, the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the Cabinet and myself. And he also has the total support of the House of Commons, on both sides of the House."
CUE AT 04.51
Suggestions that the situation would improve if the Governor resigned, are rejected outright in Whitehall. The British Government says there is no question of him standing down. However, a way must be found to resolve the dispute.
CUE AT 05.05
Chin King Fuk runs a construction engineering firm in Hong Kong and travels frequently to mainland China. He thinks the problem is a cultural one.
UP ENGSOT AT 05.14 CHIN KING FUK, DIRECTOR, HOPWIN CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING LTD.
(In Cantonese with English translation)
"My personal view is that reform is a good idea. But, at this moment, it isn't really practical with the present situation in Hong Kong. Westerners see democracy as a good thing but it isn't viewed in the same way in East. It's still a very new concept there. To the Westerner, there is a long tradition behind such thinking but there's not such a history here. On the question of reform, people don't have a very clear idea and are confused."
CUE AT 06.15
Beyond unsettling sections of the local population, the disputes between Tondon and Beijing have had an effect in the financial markets. For a city based so much on economic activity, that might be seen as extremely dangerous.
CUE AT 06.28
The Hang Seng financial index has seen some sharp falls in recent months. Isn't that a problem?
UP ENGSOT AT 06.34 DAVID K.P.LI, DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE, BANK OF EAST ASIA AND MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
"Yes, it is true. But whenever there is some unsettlement, you also create opportunity for make money. So, I think Hong Kong people are quite used to it. And if you look at this unfortunate disagreement between Beijing and Hong (Kong) Government, and also Beijing and Britain, I mean the stock market has not gone down that much. Initially, it reacted very badly, but we now we are enjoying an all-time high in Hong Kong at the moment.
UP ENGSOT AT 07.10 PHILIP BOWRING, FINANCIAL JOURNALIST "I think that it's going to be difficult for Hong Kong's boom to continue in the way that it has done. I mean, I think that Hong Kong will continue to be the most.