TNAG-1322-FCO40-1728-Future-of-Hong-Kong-opinion-polls-and-surveys-1984 — Page 278

L

KK04025

CONFIDENT

RE

· AUG 1984

Pa

ясник

ん

FROM: A C GALSWORTHY,

DATE: 16 August 1984

cc: Sir P Cradock

HKD

17/8/1

45

Mr

Gyalım

HK

Thank you

PS/Mr Luce

Jurity

Sir W Harding

Mr Orr, FED

FUTURE OF HONG KONG: STATE OF PUBLIC OPINION

1. We have commissioned a regular series of reports from Hong Kong

on the debate in the territory about the future, so that Ministers

can keep in touch with developments.

A 2. I submit the latest in this series of reports. It says that

Hong Kong opinion is very volatile. Before the Secretary of State's

press conference on 1 August the atmosphere had become increasingly

depressed and nervous. However there was also an increasing sense

of realism as people adjusted to the idea of living under Chinese

sovereignty. After the Secretary of State's statement there was a

sense of relief and a feeling that events were moving fast and in a

generally satisfactory direction. This relief was reflected in a 67

point rise by the Hang Seng Index on 2 August.

3. The export sector continues to grow. The number of foreign

business establishments registered in Hong Kong increased by 11%

during the first half of 1984. On a more negative note, the

exchange rate remains under some

pressure.

4. The concerns and anxieties of the Public Service continue; there

has been a slight increase in the number of resignations. However

morale still holds up. Four members of the politically non-aligned

Chinese Civil Servants Association visited Peking and had

discussions with Ji Pengfei who made some reassuring remarks.

5.

assessment

An increasing number of people are saying that the

set up to test the acceptability of an agreement, will be a

stamp. However most people now accept that a referendum

office

rubber

CONFIDENTIAL

14.