TNAG-1037-FCO40-1287-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 82

YOU CANNOT GET EVERYTHING YOU WANT

(Ming Pao, Editorial - 21/2/81)

Yesterday we put forward a proposal for HK's future and suggested that China and Britain can negotiate for an agreement to set out a clearer future for HK. Our proposed agreement was for China and Britain to give official consent to three main points: (1) HK is Chinese territory; (2) HK's status quo will not change; (3) China must give 15 years notice if

it wants to take back HK.

Taking account of the interest of the three parties: China, Britain and HK residents, this solution can perhaps be acceptable by all. Of course the solution cannot be considered most perfect or most ideal to any party. Yet if it has to be accepted by all three, there must be some compromise. It must be agreeable to one self and must be agreeable to others

too.

From China's point of view, it is best if HK's future is not at all mentioned and for her to insist only that HK is Chinese territory, that it is a problem left over by history, that a solution will wait till an appropriate time in future and all investors can put their minds at

ease.

However this attitude of letting things 'take their natural course' will certainly not be practicable after 1982. HK is a very good place in the world to manufacture and to do business but it is not the only place. The greatest disadvantage of investing in enterprises is an uncertain future. When there are only ten years from 1997, anyone who is moderately sensitive to 'safety', if capable, will not want to stay here, or will only use HK as a temporary sojourn.

Many many people who have no means to leave will be impatient and anxious. Therefore if this problem is not solved within the next one or two years, HK will not be a stable society. An unstable wall may not fall and a better wall may be built if it does fall, but knowing that the wall will fall at any moment, there will not be many people who will wish to stand under it.

The Chinese authority cannot expect HK people to keep calm and have the peaceful mind to do business and to live as before, seeing the lease running out ... nine years, eight years, seven years

Any change in the society at that time will not be for the good.

The Chinese authority cannot expect that when it decides to take

If there is back HK it can do so by giving one year or half year notice. such a possibility and before such a situation arises, those who can do so among the sensitive people of HK would have been gone and those who cannot would not have been able to maintain their livelihood. It cannot expect that it can use various means to 'order' or 'influence' the British HK government. Britain's principle is very clear: if it cannot have autonomous administration of this place, it will cease to administer and leave peacefully and with good will. It will not sacrifice its principle to a compromise.

/The