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start it could have been better if the British had kow- towed and apologised for the Opium Wars - there will be a retreat from the present wave of over-optimism confidence equates with commercial stability the agreement provides opportunity for confidence
it is a reasonable document.
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3. IS IT A BETTER AGREEMENT THAN YOU EXPECTED?
Again there was a distinct 'yes' to this question, the oldest permanent and pensionable group seemed most pleasantly surprised. A significant portion of the younger agreement officers were not surprised.
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an observer, I think we were lucky to get what we got says very little some clauses seem improbable ha... hoped for more autonomy I thought my interests would be safeguarded by UK not SAR no worse either China had all the cards no agreement was expected merely another in the big line of sellouts by HMG too good to be true it depends on Basic Law
too many loose ends throwing doubt on the package – not for non- Chinese any thinking person must appreciate that expatriate status will definitely not ever be the same, the future of HK lies with Chinese who have to stay here and work along with the PRC.
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4. WILL THE ARRANGEMENTS IN THE DRAFT AGREEMENT AFFECT YOU?
The results to this question indicates unmistakably that it is the young permanent and pensionable group which
be affected most. feels that they will
A perhaps surprising number of the older parmanent and pensionable group feel that they will be affected, this may indicate anticipation of affect on pensions. Most agreement offiers think they will not be affected.
GROUP
YES%
NO%
DNK%
TOTAL
P42-
73.5
20.8
5.7
53
P43+
76.9
22.1
1.0
104
Average
75.8
21.7
2.5
157
A42-
63.1
31.2
5.7
157
A43+
70.9
28.0
1.1
89
A?
73.5
22.4
4.1
49
GROUP
YES%
NO%
DNK%
TOTAL
P42-
92.8
1.8
5.4
56
Average
67.1
28.8
41
295
P43+
58.9
33.3
7.8
102
Overall
70.2
26.3
3.5
452
Average
Average
70.9
22.1
7.0
158
A42-
39.2
47.9
12.9
163
A43+
25.6
66.3
8.1
86
A?
31.9
55.3
12.8
47
Average
34.1
54.4
11.5
296
Overall
46.9
43.2
9.9
454
Average
as
Remarks included the following:-
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Most of it was leaked beforehand a remarkable technical achievement worse because UK has agreed to arrangements which facilitate interference before 1997 good on the whole as I expected more detailed than expected China appears to be committed to complete autonomy for Hong Kong after 1997 – predictable good a deal as could be expected by anyone no real guarantee that PRC will maintain system for 50 years with reservation - it's a framework which has to be thrashed out after Thatcher's fiasco in 1982 much better with sovereignty not maintained I expected more sweeping changes didn't know what to expect I cannot accept that rampant capitalism will be allowed to flourish under a totalitarian state however benevolent reasonable provided no interference no previous expectations - it's not wonderful after long hard negotiations a good bargain has been struck by Britain but the goodness of it is yet to be tested in some respects Hong Kong required a Macau solution i.e. Chinese sovereignty, British administration, rent to China more of Hong Kong as we know it preserved than expected - but I lack faith in PRC
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it is the minimum required to keep HK stable fait accompli in favour of PRC the people of HK have lost their real freedom question rings of "Have you stopped beating your wife?” from an expatriate point of view it is not good various provisions should have been more detailed durability questionable it shows goodwill on both sides 50 year deadline for complete unification with socialism is a sentence passed more or less than a sensible person would expect the Chinese government has made promises they must keep it is this that is why most people are suspicious — in view of the fact that HK was not really consulted, merely being
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no
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8
Remarks included the following:-
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Depends on attitude of existing government
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only
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in the short term – it affects every one one way or another I will be gone by 1997 depends on economic confidence I hope not employment as an expatriate civil servant will be restricted - agreement staff will now be phased out restricted promotion to highest levels not much possibly by stepped up localisation may be the Judiciary will be affected less than most who can tell standards of living could be affected indirectly permanent residents will be affected pensions might be affected members of my family who wish to stay in HK might be – I'll lose my job – depends on policies and standards i.e. British or otherwise no future for expatriates now government policy will be changed benefits may be abolished depends on manner of execution will courts be conducted in English amputated career prospects prosperity of HK and exchange rate affects me if I stay may have to leave status quo for agreement officers - I am taking a careful look at my future Chinese legal system doesn't work, language of law will become Mandarin, prospects reduced on racial grounds possible short term instability demand for my expertise may disappear - the localisation policy will shall be better off discrimination against overseas officers security of
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