TNAG-1240-FCO40-1553-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 119

Mr Donald

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cc: Mr Elliott, FED

Mr Walker, Research Dept

XU JIATUN'S VISIT TO KOWLOON WALLED CITY

MKK040|1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

2 5 AUG 1983

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

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See (47

See

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473) C

474

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1.

Hong Kong telnos 1168 and 1183 recorded press reaction to a visit made by Xu Jiatun to the Kowloon Walled City on 7 August. Xu was reported as being full of praise for the self-elected members of

the local Kowloon Welfare Association which he was told administered

the Walled City, but to have said he was concerned about the

"inconveniences" of life there. The communist papers in Hong Kong reported suggestions that Xu's remarks had been intended as a pointer to what China meant by "self-administration".

They said

that the Walled City represented "one of the worst examples of the

British invasion of Hong Kong and that the Hong Kong Government had "used all sorts of excuses to try and shirk their responsibilities"

for its residents. Mr Smith's teleletter of 9 August to Mr Margolis

in Hong Kong reported that Xu's visit was also carried, together

with his remarks, in the People's Daily on 8 August and the China

Daily of 9 August.

2.

Mr Margolis's teleletter of 9 August comments on the visit and more generally on Xu's activities since his arrival in Hong Kong

early July. It notes that Xu has been almost continuously in the limelight and has followed a heavy schedule of visits. His visit to

the Walled City was carefully orchestrated to ensure good press coverage of his remarks. In response to press queries, Hong Kong have taken the line that Xu is welcome to visit all places of interest in Hong Kong. They have also drawn attention to the Government's attempts to improve living standards in the Walled City and have, off the record, sought to correct the myth that the Walled City is under Chinese control.

3.

Mr Margolis has not attempted any analysis of the possible purpose behind Xu's visit to the Walled City or his activities since

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