SUNAER
CONFIDENTIAL
CALL ON MR RENTON BY MESSRS WONG KWOK-WAH AND NIGEL ARMSTRONG
(HONG KONG JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION)
4PM, 31 MARCH 1987
Points to Make
1. Know that you (Mr Wong) saw my predecessor, Richard Luce, in
June 1985, when you had a useful discussion on question of press
freedom in Hong Kong before and after 1997. Always happy to see
visitors from Hong Kong and hear their views on local issues.
Defensive
Public Order (Amendment) Ordinance
2. Primarily a matter for Hong Kong Government. Note that legislation passed on 11 March included repeal of many (7)
regulatory or controlling provisions of Control of Publications Consolidation Ordinance which had been part of Hong Kong laws for over 30 years. Recall that you pressed Mr Luce to ask Hong Kong to repeal these provisions in 1985. Legislation passed on 11 March represents a major liberalisation compared with previous position. In deciding upon repeal, Hong Kong Government felt that in such a small and densely populated place, necessary to retain a power in the 1951 Ordinance to act against anyone publishing false news which might threaten public order. To make clear that this measure was aimed at any threat to public order and not aimed at freedom of press, measure was transferred from Control of Publications Consolidation Ordinance to Public Order Ordinance. In no sense a
new measure.
(New measures introduced in response to Chinese pressure)
3. Can categorically assure you that this is not so. No such pressure, or even discussion with Chinese. Under Joint Declaration
HMG are fully responsible for Hong Kong's administration up to 1 July 1997, and we intend to maintain and exercise that responsibility.
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.