TNAG-1246-FCO40-1560-Press-reports-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 77

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Reason for accepting SAR option: HK people have no other choice

Reason for rejecting SAR option:

Chinese communists are given to policy flipflops and unable

to inspire confidence

Reasons given by polled DB members who find the special administrative region option acceptable include:

stability.

Confidence in the government's ability to maintain prosperity and

Acceptance of the greater of the two advantages. There will be no

other choice.

Feasible though it will be, it is hoped that there will be more definite provisions and a healthier administrative setup.

To the man in the street, a decent living is what matters; what sort of government that governs doesn't count too much.

Hong Kong cannot continue indefinitely as a British colony. But conversion to a SAR will only be a temporary expedient.

The Chinese authorities have yet to find a settlement that would thoroughly solve the question.

include:

Hong Kong people have no other choice.

Hong Kong people have no power to decide for their future. There is no other practicable solution.

Reasons given by polled members who find the SAR option unacceptable

In 1997 Chine will only be entitled to recover the New Territories. It will have no right to impose anything on the inhabitants of HK island and the unreverted part of Kowloon peninsula.

Exception taken to Article 31 of the Chinese constitution.

Whatever place under a communist regime is turmoil-ravaged with

people losing their freedom and suffering poverty.

It is feared that China will not live up to its promise.

The Chinese political sene is volatile. HK and foreign investors will lose their confidence.

SAR is only a transitional arrangement to be followed by a phasing- in of class dictatorship.

The

Status quo cannot be maintained under the SAR arrangement as it is contrary to the lifestyles to which HK people have become accustomed. 5 million HK people will become political sacrificial items.

Hong Kong as a SAR will at best be like Shenzhen of today. will be no economic prosperity.

There

Setting up Hong Kong as a SAR is a sleight of hand on the part of Eventually HK will come under complete Chinese control.