TNAG-1241-FCO40-1554-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 99

HKK 040/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

SEP 1983

TREGERY

PA

Action Takeis

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

499

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pe

SUMMARY OF HONG KONG MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND

RELATED ISSUES : 5-23 AUGUST 1983

Main issues covered were as follows:

(i) Sino-British talks

Diverse views expressed on "second phase" following announcement of

recess. Much speculation about progress of talks viz:

(a) some thought that as issues involved were complex, talks would

inevitably "drag on" for some time;

(b) breaks in talks not necessarily symptomatic of stalemate;

(c) significant that adjectives such as "useful" and "constructive"

missing from joint statement at conclusion of 3 August talks;

(d) Hong Kong residents entitled to know their fate and to be

informed about talks.

General optimism about Hong Kong's future but some feeling that little progress made in "second phase" as talks must have touched on the sovereignty issue. Substantive talks would begin only when this

resolved.

(ii) Confidentiality of talks

Considerable debate about this in independent press. Main points: (a) confidentiality potentially damaging; generates feeling of

helplessness;

(b) resentment of briefing of "privileged few" in Hong Kong (ie EXCO) and foreigners (eg Australian Foreign Minister) while Hong

Kong people "kept in dark";

(c) Peking's practice of revealing Chinese viewpoint to visiting groups/individuals would eventually win over Hong Kong people to Chinese thinking.