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The paper went on to say that Sir Geoffrey had indicated that he had taken into account the long-term interests of China and Britain as well as Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. Although there was still some way to go before the conclusion of an agreement, the road ahead could be shortened if both sides continued to show such a spirit and adopt a pragmatic, friendly and cooperative attitude so that an early agreement could be reached to completely resolve the Hong Kong question left by history.
The New Evening Post said Britain's stand on the Hong Kong Issue, as clarified by Sir Geoffrey, was Identical to what China had intended to do and was what Hong Kong people had looked for, hance boosting people's confidence that a satisfactory agreement could be reached, in the past, when the situation was not clear, some people had impractical illusions that Britain could remain here after 1997. This was natural and understandable. Now that the future was clear, all people, despite what they had said in the past, could join hands to work for Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.
A New Evening Post columnist disagreed with the suggestion that there was a need for an international guarantee. The columnist said this was against the principle as the running of Hong Kong after 1997 was an internal affair. Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian had repeated China's assurances towards Hong Kong time and again during his overseas tour and in Interviews with Reader's Digest and Aslaweek." "What other form of guarantee could be more widespread and complete than this?" the columnist asked.
Tin Fung Yat Po noted that Britain had changed its stand from its insistence on the validity of the three treaties to the present decision to retum Hong Kong's sovereignty to China. The paper described this as a wise change. Now that the future was clear, it would not be easy for people to make any issue out of it, the paper said.
The Centre Daily News said some people's worry that a Sino-British agreement might be rejected by Parliament was unwarranted because Sir Geoffrey had said they would not commend an agreement unsatisfactory to the people of Hong Kong and Parliament.
Tin Tin Daily News referred to Ji Pengfei's comment that Kuomintang organisations could remain in Hong Kong so long as they behave within the law. The paper hoped that all people, disregarding their party affiliations, would strive to maintain the territory's prosperity and stability.
English Press
The SCM Post in its editorial reminded readers that today was Easter Sunday and with reference to Sir Geoffrey's press statements, it said there was a vast difference in the revelation that death was not the end and that the earthly goals we strived for were attainable in some form of existence that follows, Following (Good) Friday's press conference, we could be certain of one thing, change was inevitable... and no man-made institution could be expected to provide a wholly satisfying solution. It added that we
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had the assurance that hope could and would be realised, given faith, confidence and the will to achieve that goal.
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