TNAG-1238-FCO40-1551-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 71

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American officials might also encourage Hong Kong leaders to be more

assertive in their discussions with PRC leaders in emphasizing the need for

Chinese restraint.

According to a view prevalent in Hong Kong, only a few

of the large numbers of Hong Kong delegates who have visited recently with PRC

leaders in Beijing have forcefully asserted the need for a basically hands off

PRC approach to the colony. Rather, they have tended to listen politely to

PRC leaders suggestions for the colony's future and to convey those views to

the Hong Kong media.

Some observers point out that Hong Kong leaders who have recently trav-

eled to Beijing for talks with top PRC officials have not been more assertive

in putting forth Hong Kong's interests in part because many of them are very

wealthy entrepeneurs who are prepared to flee the colony at the first signs of

a serious decline in the status quo. Middle class Hong Kong business and pro-

fessional leaders, who are seen as more committed to Hong Kong's future and

representing natural leaders under the current situation, have appeared only

recently to organize themselves so that their views on the need for PRC non-

interference in Hong Kong will be taken into account. Presumably, American

officials could encourage these middle class Hong Kong representives to organize

themselves more rapidly and effectively in order to make sure that their

interests

which appear compatible with American interests in the territory

are taken more fully into account by the PRC in future policy toward Hong Kong.