TNAG-1246-FCO40-1560-Press-reports-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 96

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Professor Peter Harris: Professor Peter Harris (HKU) said a tranquil settlement on the future of HK would be beneficial to US influence in Asia; should HK be lost to the West, the West could lose a good market, a good window on China and a good ideal. Speaking to Amcham, he said the Lion had laid down many of its burdens; the Pearl remained there anxiously waiting to be picked up by somebody; and the Eagle hovered uncertainly overhead wondering how to avoid the gusts of wind perversely blowing him off course. He said current anxieties regarding the future of HK inhibited business and questioned whether the Americans had the steady nerves required to maintain a presence in Asia? The record was not entirely encouraging. The US benefitted from HK politically for its access to China and HK benefitted from the US economically. The major difficulty at present was political support for Taiwan had left the PRC sullent and resentful. The US attitude to China had been moralistic; its attitude to HK had been realistic.

Mr. William Purves: The executive director of the HK & Shanghai Bank, Mr. William Purves, painted a "rosy picture" of the outlook for HK, according to the SCMP Business News of 11 January. He said whatever political formula was evolved the omens remained very good. Make no mistake about it, China was committed to economic modernisation and HK had a significant role to play in that process. Although China could turn to many different countries for assistance, geographical proximity and cultural empathy made HK a uniquely convenient source. It was now abundantly clear that Beijing had no intention of disturbing the territory's present economic and social systems and that China's development programmes would be an enormous catalyst for HK's own rapid growth. While Wen Wei Po too quoted these aspects, the television stations reported that he was confident China would put its mediate and future economic needs above its historic right.

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MORE VIEWS ON MEETING POINT:

There was more editorial comment on Meeting Point's proposals. The HK Economic Journal said their propositions were modelled on China's self-rule formula. They were too vague and idealistic and their feasibility was questionable. They only represented the views of young people in HK who supported China's intention to recover HK. Those who disagreed with these proposals should speak up systematically, the paper urged. The HK Daily News doubted whether the propositions represented the wishes of local residents and suggested that a referendum be held to sound out public opinion. A columnist of the pro- Taiwan HK Times said cynically that the group's suggestions were tantamount to asking the tiger for its skin. However, the left-wing Wen Wei Po, New Evening Post and HK Commercial Daily endorsed the proposals and called on the public to discuss the self-rule option. The New Evening Post said HK people had gradually increased their confidence as HK's prospects became clearer. They had now realised that they could survive without the British administration. However, this did not suggest that those who were loyal to Britain should go home because under the self-rule option these people could still contribute.

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