BY BAG
CONFIDENTIAL
ба
布政司署
香港下亞畢道
**** OUR REF: S CR 18/5701/47
**Your Ref:
GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT
Mr. Williamson £13.5
Res
RFER
LOWER ALBERT ROAD
HONG KONG
1 May 1980
13
Mr. Dornice or
ко
OR
Interest
RD Clift Esq
H
Hong Kong & General Department
FCO
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
6 JUN 1980
DESK OFFICER
REGISTRY
حود
Lecte
INDEX
PA
CHINESE VIEWS ON CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE IN MACAU
(N... R)
In my letter of 27 March I reported evidence of Chinese worry about suggestions being made by some members of the Macau Legislative Assembly that the Assembly should have greater power, making it virtually autonomous. Those expressions of Chinese concern were made in private.
2.
We now have the same thing said in public.
I am enclosing a translation of an editorial which appeared in the communist-controlled Da Gong Bao on 26 April. This not only makes the case against change in terms of what local opinion would 'really like'. It says straight out that China would not be prepared to tolerate activities of those in the Legislative Assembly directed towards 'autonomy'. This is what we have always known. Never before, however, have I seen it stated so clearly in public. The implications for Hong Kong are obvious and this public expression of the Chinese view is a useful point of reference for refuting those who might claim that China has no concern about internal constitutional changes in Hong Kong or Macau.
3.
As I reported in my earlier letter, the Governor of Macau has made it clear that he opposes the attempt to amend the constitution. Since he has been back in Lisbon I see he has said this to the press as well. With such forthright opposition from the Governor, and with the communist press now coming out publicly with the same line (presumably in Macau woll as here), I should be surprised if the proposals for constitutional change get much further.
cc R JT McLaren Esq FED FCO
TJ B George Esq PEKING D M March Esq OBE BTCHK
ever
(D C Wilson)
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