TNAG-1245-FCO40-1559-Press-reports-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 53

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Media Summary on Hong Kong's Future

Period: May 10 May 16, 1983

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The election of local people, including two former members of the Legislative Council, to the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the announcement on 9 May that there was to be a general election in the United Kingdom were the main media items of the week relating to the future of HK.

There was some criticism of the agreement of HK people to serve on the CPPCC and it was also revealed that at least 10 community leaders had declined the offer for "personal reasons".

There were no additions to the 20 local people who have been elected to the National People's Congress which opens in Beijing on 6 June. The 20 are all associated with left-wing organisations in HK.

On the general election in the UK, the general comment was that there would be no difference of policy towards HK whichever party won power.

A New Territories Commercial and Industrial Trade Association delegation returned to HK and said they had been told by NPC vice-chairman, Mr. Liao Chengzhi. that the Sino- British talks would yield something fruitful in two years.

It was announced during the week that a consortium led by British Petroleum had been awarded the first contract to develop China's offshore oil.

On Friday, Ming Pao Evening News picked up a report from Wide Angle which said the Sino-British talks would reach a crucial stage in one week; an FCO Official was quoted as saying Britain would no longer insist on sovereignty. In issuing a denial, the Government reiterated that only official announcements should be listened to.

The major items covered in the Chinese-language press were also covered in the English-language newspapers. The Observers' Forum which appeared in the SCMP on 12 May said no one was leading HK and called for an elected form of Goverment. There was some good news: Exxon Corporation has decided to build two further electricity-generating units to add to the two already being built in Kowloon at a cost of US$750 million; the General Manager of the HK Bank, Mr. Michael Sandberg, told shareholders that HK would have a growing role as a regional and international service centre; and Mr. Francis Martin of the American Chamber of Commerce said growing uncertainty over our long-term future was largely unwarranted and he expected the flow of American trade and investment to HK would continue to grow.

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