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foreign currency in the Guangdong special economic zones to foreign firms there. It was also suggested that perhaps HK Electric and the HK Government could also invest in the venture. Another nuclear industry journal in Britain, "Nucleonics Week", said China had given 1 July as the deadline for HK to decide the extent of its participation in the N-plant. This followed growing fears in the British nuclear industry that Britain might lose out entirely to France in both building and equipping the planned twin pressurised water reactor in Daya Bay when President Francois Mitterand visited Beijing next month. It was reported that France was offering government-to-government aid when Britain was not.
"Nuclear Engineering International" also reported that China Light's reduced interest in the Guangdong N-plant came after the company found itself in the same position as many electricity firms in industrialised countries that new investment in electricity supply had been rendered superfluous by the world recession.
4.
HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE HONG KONG:
The papers gave prominent coverage to the House of Commons debate on Friday on Britain's remaining dependent territories, with one MP, Mr. Stanley Clinton Davis, a Labour Shadow Minister, being quoted as fiercely attacking HK's system of Government and the Prime Minister's involvement in the negotiations over the future. Mr. Davis saw absolutely no reason why progress should not be made in advancing democracy and trade union rights in HK. He said Mrs. Thatcher's trip to Beijing had been badly organised and the result an unmitigated disaster. Negotiations with China should be conducted in a more carefully calculated atmosphere and the best advice to the PM was to stay out of HK in the future and leave it to the Foreign Office. Conflict must be avoided. The Minister of State at the Foriegn Office, Mr. Cranley Onslow, defended Mrs. Thatcher's visit, but refused to be drawn on the substance of the Beijing negotiations. Britain took its responsibility to HK seriously and the views of its people would be taken into account. But the negotiations would remain confidential. Sir Paul Bryan praised HK people for keeping their nerve; he said there was bound to be strain and tension because of uncertainty over the future, but HK had not come to a halt. Life continued to flourish and he had great faith in HK people who were keeping their nerve admirably. All the signs in HK were that people there would like conditions to continue much as they were, but of course 1997 was in sight, it could not be ignored and something had to be done and preparations made. Sir Paul said he had asked the Governor before the PM's visit what he thought would emerge and he had been told: what was wanted was a friendly meeting and agreed statements as a start of talks. That was exactly what had been achieved and Mrs. Thatcher had done extremely well. On the joint Anglo-Chinese aim to maintain HK's stability and prosperity, Sir Paul said HK's constitutional stability was its most valuable asset from Britain; it needed to be supported and promoted and Britain had done HK proud in the quality of its administration. If there had been neglect it had been by British industry. Mr. Ivor Stanbrook, Conservative, said it would be a tragedy for China and the international community if there was a messy solution to the problem of HK's future or one which left ill-will. Fortunately, the present leaders of China appeared to be wise men who were well aware of the high stakes in the game they were playing. Britain should concentrate on reaching an amicable arrangement with China for the transition to be made in peace and harmony.
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