TNAG-1246-FCO40-1560-Press-reports-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 122

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In the left-wing press, the common theme of new year editorials was that HK residents should have faith in China. Wen Wei Po said new developments in the country should in no way be linked with the tumultuous period in the past, and it would be grossly unfair to describe the new Constitution as a "deception" and Premier Zhao's economic plan as "empty promises". These new developments should boost the confidence of compatriots in HK and Macau. The paper held that socialism was superior to capitalism, despite the fact that mistakes were made and efforts wasted in bringing it into practice. Now that the errors had been rectified and the storm was over, China would be able to advance under a socialist economy. The paper, together with Ta Kung Pao, repeated the remarks of the First Secretary of Guangdong, Mr. Ren Zhongyi, that if China, including Guangdong, was good, HK must be good, too. In another editorial, Ta Kung Pao believed that some of the doubts over the issue would be cleared in 1983, but it did not specify how. Ching Po maintained that "HK people to administer HK" was a feasible option and urged local residents to have faith in it. The paper, together with Tin Tin and HK Commercial Daily, urged people to work wholeheartedly towards our prosperity. Tin Tin and Commercial Daily also noted that we should not worry ourselves into a crisis because 1997 would still be a long time away. Tin Fung Yat Po said people with ulterior motives had used the lease issue to stir things up. Since HK's prospects had now become much clearer, the diplomatic talks would not have much impact on it, the paper said.

A Standard leader on the future said the great watershed of 1982 was Mrs. Thatcher's visit to Beijing and her subsequent brief brush with HK hospitality. Some people had said she was tactless, and indeed tact was not the most notorious feature of her personal style. But, if the PM appeared to burst a dam and unleash a flood which put the HK economy in the doldrums, the water pressure had been building up for a long time. The bursting of the land bubble and the wilting of Western economies were the real causes for anxiety. A SCMP leader said 1997 was our biggest hang-up in 1982, so a new year's resolution might be: don't get cold feet if Beijing (or Margaret Thatcher) sneezes.

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VIEWS OF INDIVIDUALS:

In a message broadcast by RTHK and ATV and published (nearly in full) by the Ta Kung Pao, the acting Chief Secretary, Mr. Denis Bray, urged HK people to continue to work for HK's prosperity and stability in the interests of all parties while the Sino-British talks were continuing. Mr. Bray also asserted that the Government programme in areas such as education, public works and medical services would continue. His call was echoed by Legislative Councillor, Mr. Allen Lee, and the managing director of Hopewell Holdings, Mr. Gordon Wu. Mr. Bray also reiterated that the public should not listen to rumours and

CONFIDENTIAL