TNAG-1245-FCO40-1559-Press-reports-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 43

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Tin Tin Daily News said, of the many propositions, Hong Kong people to administer Hong Kong was more acceptable. The views put across by Mr. Allen Lee's delegation showed that local people were already administering Hong Kong.

4.

TIBET TREATY:

A HK Times columnist published the treaty China signed with Tibet in 1951 which provided the framework for so-called self-rule in Tibet. The treaty contained 17 provisions. It guaranteed that all political and administrative systems in Tibet would remain unchanged. The status and power of the Dalai Lama would not be changed. All Tibetan officials would continue to work in the administration. China would respect the religious beliefs of the Tibetans, but the army in Tibet would be integrated gradually into the People's Liberation Army. Agriculture, commerce and industry in Tibet would be developed and the living conditions of the people improved. Former collaborators with imperalism and the KMT would be pardoned as long as they did not continue their subversion or resistance. The Chinese Government was responsible for external relations of Tibet. A military command would be set up in Tibet to ensure that the provisions in the treaty were observed.

The columnist said most of the treaty's provisions were similar to those advocated by China in its self-rule proposition for HK. The treaty had become a piece of waste paper since 1959 when China sent an army into Tibet to suppress rebellion. As a result, the Dalai Lama escaped to India. He described the status quo in the context of Tibet as a "phoney plot".

5.

PAPER CALLS FOR PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT:

The HK Economic Journal discussed at length in three editorials a proposal for a provisional agreement on HK's future which the paper said must be concluded as soon as possible to avoid any adverse effects brought about by the prolonged Sino-British talks. It said the agreement should ensure that HK's Judicial system, administrative structure and currency should remain unchanged while passports should be issued to legal HK residents. The paper did not support the introduction of an elected Legco because, in so doing, the council would be susceptible to political struggle and its procedures would be impeded. Instead, the paper called on the Governor to relax the criteria for appointing Exco and Legco members. It would not be a good thing for British hongs to dominate Exco and Legco. It called on the Government to relax the criteria for appointments to these two councils so as to absorb more local talent willing to serve our community. On the issue of passports to legal HK residents, the paper said only in so doing would HK people be entitled to freedom of travel. The prosperity of HK was renowned throughout the world and yet people here had not been given a legal status. The paper called on local residents to demand that both the British and the Chinese Governments recognise them as Chinese nationals so that they would not be discriminated against in travelling to another country. In addition, this would make them feel secure to work in HK.

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