TNAG-1246-FCO40-1560-Press-reports-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 126

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In what way?

GUANGDONG PPC ENDS:

The fifth Guangdong Provincial People's Congress ended on 28 December. Among the resolutions adopted was one that HK and Macau would have greater representation at the next provincial congress next April. HK and Macau would have 45 seats, up by nearly half from the existing 31 seats. But the total number of Guangdong's representatives would be reduced by about 400 to I 180. Ta Kung Pao said editorially that greater representation signalled closer co-operation between Guangdong, HK and Macau, and would enable the assembly to hear a broader expression of local opinion. People hoped Guangdong would prosper and so would HK.

8.

OTHER ITEMS:

Chinese economist to visit HK: Chinese economist and chairman of the All China Federation of Trade Unions, Mr. Hu Ziang, will visit HK soon at the invitation of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association, the Federation of HK Industries and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. He will also visit Macau. In a statement issued through Xinhua, Mr. Hu said there were good prospects for developing economic co-operation between China, HK and Macau under China's open door policy. China was confident that HK and Macau would maintain their prosperity and that businessmen and industrialists in these two areas would play a positive role in achieving this goal. The story was prominently reported by Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao.

Britain urged to stay on: The Lai Chi Society, a group of intellectuals from China, issued a statement on 27 December urging the British Government to continue its administration here until China unified and became a free and democratic country. The statement maintained that more than 3 million of the population were either Chinese refugees who had fled the country since the communist takeover or their family members. They ran away from communism and would wish neither to live under communist rule nor become refugees again. Should Britain decide to pull out, Hong Kong should be returned to HK people and not to China. The statement said the future must be determined by the HK people. It concluded by wishing all "righteous people of the world" to rise in their support.

Taiwan speaks on 1997: Taiwan's Foreign Minister, Mr. Zhu Fusong, said Taiwan would protect the interests of Chinese residents in HK and would not recognise the results of the Sino-British talks on HK's future. He said Taiwan had made contact with HK on some aspects, but did not elaborate. He was speaking at a press conference in Taipei to outline Taiwan's foreign policy in 1983. The story was prominently covered by Wah Kiu Yat Po and the HK Times.

Change_in_Britain's attitude: The Kung Sheung Daily News said the inclusion of the word "British" in HK passports had significant meaning in the light of the talks and it fully understood why senior Unofficial Legislative Councillor, Mr. Roger Lobo, was so delighted to see the change. The move, together with a plan to give HK students home status on the tuition fees issue, indicated that there had been a change in the attitude of policy makers in the Conservative Government towards Hong Kong.

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