TNAG-1299-FCO40-1655-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1984 — Page 51

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English Press

Ji Pengfei (Director, HK/Macau Office to a group of HK educationalists and broadcasters in Peking): Judging by the prevailing situation, it is possible that a preliminary agreement may be reached before September. Important matters agreed upon by Sir Geoffrey and Mr Deng Xiaoping included issues on the transitional period and the eventual reversion of the territory's sovereignty to China in 1997.

Allen Lee (Legco): Sir Geoffrey did not make a gloomy statement and it should not come as a shock to HK people.

Stephen Cheong (Legco): There is now sufficient information available for a second Legco debate.

John Swaine (Legco): Either you pack up and leave or else you have 13 years to try and fashion the best possible agreement within the framework of an autonomous territory within Chinese sovereignty.

Yu Pun-hol (HK Observers): Sir Geoffrey confirmed much of what had previously been mere speculation and in doing so had succeeded in removing a great deal of uncertainty, I had hoped for a much clearer indication of how the British Government could facilitate the democratisation process.

However if HK is to revert to a totalitarian system after 50 years then this would be unacceptable, as such a decision would have to be made by the people of HK and not by China.

Jimmy McGregor (HK General Chamber of Commerce): Sir Geoffrey's statement, though neither new nor surprising, was reassuring and helpful. Sir Geoffrey's stress on autonomy for HK showed Britain was pressing strongly for concrete details in the agreement with China, especially with the 50-year guarantee.

Ho Sai-chu (CPPCC): Delighted to see Britain accept the reality and concede sovereignty of HK beyond 1997.

Prof. Ma Meng (CPPCC): The statement was realistic and enlightening. It was the kind of statement most people in HK were waiting for.

Prof. Peter Harris (HKU): Sir Geoffrey's reference to an effective autonomy, which was tantamount to making HK an independent state in China, might be hard for China to accept.

Sze Chusian (HK Balongers' Assoc.): All the important points would be enshrined in the agreement signed as an international treaty between the two nations. Even if there were changes of governments in the two nations, the treaty would still be respected.

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