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Malaysian Premier warns Mrs. Thatcher: The Standard reported on 16 March that
the Malaysian PM, Dr. Mahathir Mohammad, had warned Mrs. Thatcher to be careful about the future of HK as other South-east Asian countries were concerned about the territory's future. He voiced his worries over the problem and how the British had handled it so far, mentioning Malaysian interests in HK and what might happen to them after 1997. It was believed he told the PM of Malaysian dismay at the way the talks with Chinese leaders had been handled and the subsequent business chaos in HK, the tremors from which had been felt throughout South-east Asia. Mrs. Thatcher was understood to have heeded Dr. Mahathir's warning and would possibly "tread softly" in future. The Standard reported that the Singapore Government had similar worries as Malaysia that capital would leave the region and go to Canada and the US. The PM was being urged not to stress the legal status of HK and to attempt to work out a deal.
Ta Kung Pao Weekly Supplement: The Supplement for 17 23 March contained
details of the remaining four speeches made at the forum to celebrate the newspaper's 35th anniversary of the resumption of its publication in HK. They were by Mr. Martin Lee, QC; Mr. H.C. Tang, chairman of the Federation of HK Industries; Dr. K.C. Mun, of the Chinese University; and Dr. P.K. Lau, of the HK Polytechnic. The Supplement also reported the lectures given by three professors on the role of intellectuals in China's future and the talks about the nuclear power plant at Daya Bay.
US/China to discuss investment treaty: The Asian Wall Street Journal reported
on 15 March that the US and China were preparing to negotiate an investment treaty which would be a major step in the Reagan Administration's efforts to clarify foreign investment rules in the Third World. The Journal of 18-19 March reported that a US company, Data General, had pulled out of plans to build a $12 million computer factory at Tai Po industrial estate because of inflexible rules and regulations. The report said that the company delayed its building plans and altered its application in November after doubts about HK's future had rocked the colony.
Chinese get tough: The Standard reported on 15 March that the Chinese had taken
"appropriate measures" to force overstayers in HK to return to China, quoting the case of a Chinese woman who overstayed for a few months receiving a letter urging her to return to her working place in Jiangmen City.
The UK Press: The papers in Britain carried a number of HK stories including two noteworthy reports about the future. The Guardian of 15 March reported that Miss Chen Muhua, the Chinese Foreign Trade Minister, would visit London and Paris for discussions on the nuclear power plant. The Financial Times of the following day also had an item about the nuclear power plant talks in HK. The Financial Times of 18 March had a report from Alain Cass which said the Sino-British talks were deadlocked over the sovereignty issue. The Guardian of the same date had an article by John Gittings which said the intention of Beijing to incorporate HK eventually into China as a special zone with a high degree of autonomy had become much clearer. He thought the British side might now be more prepared psychologically to concede sovereignty in the end, but it would be felt reasonable in return to gain some safeguards on future administration which would protect HK business interests. A copy of this article is attached.
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