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Sir Geoffrey's press conference dominated the news columns of SCM Post and HK Standard. There was no issue of the Star, and the China Daily (Peking-based HK-printed). gave no coverage whatsoever.
The Post printed Sir Geoffrey's statement in full along with the transcript of the questions and answers that followed. Both papers devoted a great deal of space to public reactions, and both made editorial comment on Sir Geoffrey's statement.
Commercial Radio (English) reported that Britain's opposition Labour Party said all political parties in the country were united over Hong Kong's future and a negotiated settlement with China which would ensure the continuation of the territory's prosperity and stability. A Labour Party spokesman was quoted by the station as saying that Sir Geoffrey's statement came as no surprise and that the party would not capitalise on it for any political advantage.
Press Commentaries
Chinese Press
The Secretary of State's press conference drew editorial comment from 14 papers. The non-communist papers generally agreed that Sir Geoffray Howe had made an important and substantial disclosure but were divided in their views on Britain's position towards sovereignty. In the communist press, the two major left-wing papers Wen Wel Po and Ta Kung Pao made no editorial comments on the subject. Minor left-wing papers applauded Sir Geoffrey's statement evolving along the theme that Britain's stance was identical or similar to that of China,
In the non-communist press, Ming Pao felt that Sir Geoffrey had made the greatest possible disclosure without violating the confidentiality agreement. He had summed up the talks on HK's future. The British Government did understand the wishes of local people to maintain the present social and economic systems. It had strived to maintain its administration here after 1997, but this was opposed by China. Sing Pao said Sir Geoffrey had told HK people honestly what their prospects would be. The die was cast for HK's future Le. HK would enjoy a high degree of autonomy under Chinese sovereignty. But, the details of such an arrangements was still shrouded in fog, and the word "autonomy" was very abstract and subject to different interpretations by Britain and China.
HK Daily News said that as a result of Sir Geoffrey's disclosure, HK's future had now become clear. This was a good development which could at least stop people from using the political issue to encourage speculation on the stock markets. His statement yesterday was similar to the assurance given by Premier Zhao Ziyang in the US. HK people should not be too worried that the agreement to be reached by the two countries would be changed.
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