TNAG-1168-FCO40-1448-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 97

9:

He cited other evidence to support his theory that reverting was inevitable. It was that the British Government had given assurances to the people of Gibraltar and Falkland Islands that hey would be consulted on the future of the two territories. But no such assurance was given to the people of Hong Kong.

10.

He predicted that there would be more and more vague re- assuring statements. Both China and Britain would keep silent until the last minute.

11.

He said the reverting of Hong Kong to China would have an impact on the Chinese population in Britain and around the world. For a start, many Hong Kong residents would become refugees. Further-

more, it would mark the end of the Chinese population's attitute of not getting involved in politics.

12.

13.

Reaction from the floor

The last 30 minutes of the talk were for discussion and reaction from the floor. Only four people, including Alfred Chan, spoke.

S. S. Yung of the China International Co-Op Association said he agreed with Easey that HK would eventually revert to China. The other three speakers pointed out that the various developments now going on in Hong Kong and Hong Kong's contributions to China's modernisation programmes did not support his argument.

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Answering questions from the floor, Easey said Hong Kong people should now make a lot of noise demanding the right to be consulted. He admitted that his view was pure "speculation" and was of "pessimism, alarmism and extremism." But judging from the facts he gathered, he believed his theory was correct. He said he was a socialist and had been fighting for decolonisation. He would like to see the end of colonisation in Hong Kong.

15.

At the end of the talk, Alfred Chan announced that he planned to invite Dr Hugh Baker to give another talk on the future of Hong Kong. This would be organised after Easter.

16.

I understand that Easey did not receive any fee for the talk. However, he placed more than a dozen copies of his book "Ducking Responsibility" on his table for sale at £1 a copy. At the end of the talk all the books were gone and there were more than £10 left in his hat.

Cites

C.H.Tse

Information Officer/Press Office

CHT/em.