TNAG-1246-FCO40-1560-Press-reports-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 93

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administrative rights in the NT would no longer be valid by 1997 and the paper reiterated that the whole of HK would be turned into a Special Administrative Region, the economy of which would not be included in China's economic plan. The talks on HK's future were aimed at maintaining the territory's long-term prosperity. The outcome of the negotiations hinged on the endeavour of HK people themselves and the arrangements made by China. The development of HK depended on whether China would build

a nuclear power plant in Guangdong, construct an international airport, and the arrangements for logistics services to back up South China Sea oil exploration. The paper's views were echoed by the left-wing Tin Fung Yat Po which said HK could not survive if 90 per cent

of land here was returned to China in 1997.

In a commentary entitled "Sovereignty and interest are in accord", Wen Wei Po said the biggest national interest was territorial and sovereign rights. It would be a national disgrace and a sin to be cursed for generations to lose territory and sovereignty. Only if sovereignty and territorial integreity were safeguarded would one's economic interests be protected. It reiterated that China would regain sovereignty and maintain the prosperity of

HK.

A Wen Wei Po commentary said the arrangements for China to regain sovereignty over HK in 1997 respected both history and reality. The proposition also looked after the interests of all parties concerned, including Britain. It reiterated that 1997 was the most opportune time to restore sovereignty over HK.

Wen Wei Po criticised Mrs. Thatcher's visit to the Falklands. The paper said even though some Labour MPs saw the visit as a move to show off imperalism, Mrs. Thatcher went to visit the garrisons there as a victor and this showed that Britain had closed its door to a peaceful settlement of the Falklands issue. Such a stance was against the wishes of most member nations in the UN and would only polarise and complicate the issue. It was like setting a time bomb. The world was moving towards de-colonisation and peaceful settlement over sovereignty disputes. It would be wiser to follow this trend rather than reminiscing over the past glory of imperialism. If Mrs. Thatcher insisted on a hawkish stance on the question of colonisalism, her stubborness would meet with opposition.

An Express columnist said in a different vein that if sovereignty reverted to China, naturally the administrative control would belong to the Chinese Government. Under such a situation, the best deal that HK people could get was the role of a general manager who had to take instructions from China, the boss.

Wah Kiu Man Po said the forthcoming Urbco election had a significant meaning as HK's future remained uncertain. The election would give HK people an opportunity to display their sense of belonging and the spirit of self rule. The paper asked, if the election met with a cold response as in the past, what proof would HK people have to show that they wanted to maintain the status quo and adminsiter themselves?

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