TNAG-1246-FCO40-1560-Press-reports-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 148

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The HK Daily News said the "three legged table" was a very appropriate metaphor because HK was indispensable in China's modernisation and was a jewel in the crown of Britain. The paper said recent encouraging announcements by consortia and left-wing organisations should set investors' hearts at ease. Ming Pao said HK, with its present status as an international trade and financial centre and a free port, was like a dove which could soar freely in the skies and yet it always knew its way home. The only drawback was that a dove was fond of the rich and looked down on the poor. It would run away from home if it was not properly looked after. Wah Kiu Man Po said the decision by seven foreign firms, mainly from the US and Japan, to invest in HK showed that they had faith in HK's future because these companies, which possessed both money and technology, would not invest

in an exotic place in which they considered there was a risk. The paper urged local industrialists to drop the idea of pulling out because it would be too late for regret when the situation cleared up and when industry was dominated by foreign interests. The Express said the proper attitude towards the HK issue was that the public should ignore hearsay while weird talk on HK's future should discontinue. The paper strongly criticised those (Dr. Denny Huang and Mr. Huang Jen) who made alarmist remarks following their visits to Beijing. It described them as "couriers" and "preachers" and said they spoke as they were the mayor or administrator designate. Their acts and remarks would only serve as a catalyst to the confidence crisis. The Kung Sheung Evening News said confidence in the stock market was restored gradually after China stopped its babbling on HK's future. The Centre Daily News said it would not be a blessing for HK should the Sino-British talks make no substantial progress next year. It would mean disaster for this territory should there be polarisation in the talks. The paper envisaged that HK's economy would remain sluggish before there was a satisfactory solution to the issue.

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TAIWAN BECOMES MORE ACTIVE:

During the week, Taiwan was active in giving support to its "compatriots" in HK. It's Central News Agency said in a despatch on 15 December that a Taipei-based association responsible for liaising with pro-Taiwan ethnic Chinese associations in five continents had formed a sub-committee with representatives from these to support their compatriots in HK in the fight to safeguard their legitimate interests and freedom. In another despatch the following day, the CNA said President Chiang Kiang-kuo had told a Far East Economic Review correspondent that HK would lose its freedom if China recovered HK. Commenting on the establishment of the sub-committee and President Chiang's remarks, the HK Times urged the entire population of HK to unite and fight for freedom. It also urged HK people to speak up in order to win support and sympathy from the international community.

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