TNAG-1248-FCO40-1562-Press-reports-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 107

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3. THE ONLY COMMENT IN THE COMMUNIST PRESS WAS A COMMENTARY IN THE TA KUNG PAO SAYING THAT THE DISCUSSIONS WOULD COVER HOW TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG'S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY WHEN SOVEREIGNTY REVERTED TO CHINA AND THE TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS BEFORE THEN. THIS WOULD INVOLVE A LOT OF DETAILS AND PEOPLE SHOULD NOT EXPECT RESULTS VERY SOON. THE COMMENTATOR HOPED THAT THE TALKS WOULD NEVERTHELESS NOT DRAG ON FOR TOO LONG AND CALLED ON THE MEDIA TO RESPECT THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE DISCUSSIONS.

6. MOST INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS HAVE REPORTED, SOME OF THEM MORE THAN HALF SERIOUSLY, THAT THE REGISTRATION NUMBER OF SIR P CRADOCK'S OFFICIAL CAR IS 1996 (THE CANTONESE PAY GREAT ATTENTION TO SUCH UMENS.)

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