TNAG-1236-FCO40-1549-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 51

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Press Coverage of the Governor's_Lunar New Year Message (15, 16 and 17 February)

Most of the Chinese newspapers gave prominent coverage on February 15 and 16 to the Governor's Lunar New Year message, with Oriental Daily News, Hong Kong Daily News and Tin Tin Daily News using it as their front-page lead. Ta Kung Pao published excerpts, but left out HE's reference to those taking part in the Sino-British negotiations knowing full well what was in local residents' hearts and minds.

The papers played up in their headlines that HE was convinced Britain and China would reach an agreement on HK's future which would be welcomed here. The territory's voice had been and would continue to be heard in the negotiating chamber. HK would survive its current economic difficulties and reach new heights of achievement.

The two principal left-wing papers, Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po, accorded back page coverage to the message. In a shorter summary, Wen Wei Po also omitted the remarks about local residents' hearts and minds and Sir Edward's concern over local affairs.

Six papers commented editorially on the Governor's message. Hong Kong Daily News, Wah Kiu Yat Po. Express and the pro-Taiwan HK Times all described Sir Edward's reassurance on HK's future as good news which would help boost public confidence. HK Daily News said the message was topical and sincere. His remark on HK's future was designed to preserve, with the full support of local residents, HK's systems and lifestyle. HK Economic Journal said the fact that Sir Edward addressed the public on Lunar New Year Day instead of January 1 showed he respected Chinese tradition. But it regretted that, as a Chinese expert, he did not touch on Chinese customs in his speech. It was appropriate that Sir Edward did not mention the validity of the treaties and Britain's moral obligations towards Hong Kong because, in so doing, it would openly challenge China's sovereignty claim. But the paper queried whether the assertion that the wishes of HK people would be respected meant the wish to preserve British Administration here; to regain both sovereign and administrative rights; to support self-rule; or to let a Beijing-appointed administrator rule HK.

In the English-language Press, the SCMPost gave 22 column inches to the story on page 5, headlining it: 'HK will welcome final pact on 1997'. The lead paragraph said Sir Edward was convinced that the UK and China would reach an agreement on HK's future which would be welcomed here; the territory's voice had been and would continue to be heard in the negotiating chamber. There was no comment. The Standard put the story on Page 2, headlining it: 'Your voice will be heard, says Youde'.

On February 17, two Chinese papers, Ming Pao and Kung Sheung Daily News, commented on Sir Edward's message. Kung Sheung described it as an appropriate spiritual gift which no resident should neglect. The gift was in the form of Sir Edward's reassurance that the voice of people would continue to be heard in the negotiating chamber. In other words, the Governor pledged that Britain would not reach a compromise with China without taking into account the wishes of Hong Kong residents. The paper envisaged that the problem would be settled if we continued to speak up against China's intention to regain sovereignty. Ming Pao said the Governor had not overdone things by repeating the assurance because it was the earnest wish of local residents that their views were respected by both China and Britain. The Governor's optimism about the outcome of the diplomatic talks was based on three factors: Firstly, there was a common interest between Britain, China and HK; secondly, China was now implementing reasonable and pragmatic policies; and lastly, Sino- British relations were excellent.

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