TNAG-1247-FCO40-1561-Press-reports-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 168

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MR. KE HUA TO BE POSTED BACK TO CHINA:

The March issue of Cheng Ming quoted some unnamed Chinese Foreign Ministry. officials saying the outgoing Chinese Ambassador in London, Mr. Ke Hua, would become the deputy director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office to assist Mr. Liao Chengzhi, instead of the original plan of posting him to HK to take over as first director of Xinhua News Agency. One of the possible candidates for the HK bureau chief job was a vice-mayor of Shanghai, Mr. Zhao Xingzhi, who was more experienced than Mr. Wang in handling foreign affairs and united front propaganda. The article also said Mr. Ke had been instructed to make known to the Chinese community in Britain before his departure China's intention on the issue of sovereignty. This gave rise to speculation that he would be posted to HK.

In another article, the magazine said the percentage of China's foreign exchange earnings made through HK was somewhat higher than the commonly-quoted figure of 40 pc. The actual figure was 52 pc. Some left-wing economists in HK and China doubted whether this level of foreign exchange earnings could be maintained once China regained both sovereignty and administrative right over HK. This view was similar to that of the American Government which told China that they hoped the British Administration here could continue. It was China's wish to maintain HK's prosperity. As a result, it had taken some measures to enhance bilateral trade by encouraging well-established local firms to do business with China, via its commercial organisations in HK. It also claimed that Mr. Liao Chengzhi's ball game metaphor had caused a flurry of debate in Beijing. As a result of the blunders which Chinese officials made in babbling, instructions had been issued that views should not be given wantonly, apart from repeating the principle that it was China's intention to regain sovereignty and to maintain prosperity here. As a matter of fact, China had not yet drawn up any concrete proposals about HK's future.

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ENGLISH-LANGUAGE MEDIA:

HE Off to London: The Governor ended his visit to Yau Ma Tei on Friday by talking briefly to the press. The Standard quoted him saying he would not be going straight to Beijing from London, and there would be no concrete solution to the 1997 issue just yet. The Star also led with this comment. The SCMP said Sir Edward told the press he expected to review the HK situation with the British Ambassador to Beijing, Sir Percy Cradock

Pressure groups have role to play: The SCMP reported on 7 March that Mr. Lau Chin-shek of the Christian Industrial Committee had said in the con.mittee's newsletter that pressure groups had a more positive role to play in discussions on Hk's future; the fact that many had not expressed opinions on the subject did not necessarily mean they had none. It would not be long before the British and Chinese governments began to listen in earnest to what pressure groups had to say. HK, he said. would eventually be administered by its own people; it was certain that Britain could not continue to rule HK forever. Three questions had to be answered before self-rule could become a reality:

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