CONFIDENTIAL
170732
MOLIAN
7762
OVER
SCREEING POLICY AS A MANIFESTATION OF GOVERNMENT'S RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE PUBLIC PROBABLY BELIEVE IT DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH. THERE IS ALSO AWARENESS OF THE FINANCIAL AND OTHER IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG. THERE HAVE BEEN CALLS FOR UNHCR TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS AND FOR THE UK TO SHOW A BETTER EXAMPLE BY ACCEPTING MORE BOAT PEOPLE FOR RESETTLEMENT. THERE IS ALSO CONCERN OVER HOW LONG IT WILL BE BEFORE THOSE CATEGORISED AS IIS CAN BE REPATRIATED TO VIETNAM. THE PUBLIC WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS (MAIN EXPATRIATES AND WESTERN-EDUCATED LIBERALS), WOULD LIKE THE GOVERNMENT TO ABANDON THE POLICY OF FIRST ASYLUM.
INTERNAL POLITICS
?
8. IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE SHARP DIVISIONS OVER
*
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM WHICH COLOURED ATTITUDES TO NEARLY EVERY OTHER ISSUE IN 1987 HAVE SUBSIDED. THERE HAS BEEN A DRIFT BACK TO CONSENSUS POLITICS AND MR MARTIN LEE' QUOTE FACTION UNQUOTE HAS BEEN LESS VOCIFEROUS. WITH THE NOTABLE EXCEPTION OF THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE PROBLEM, MEMBERS' PREOCCUPATIONS ARE ESSENTIALLY DOMESTIC. LEGCO WILL DEBATE THE BASIC LAW ON 13/14 JULY. PRESENT SIGNS ARE THAT THE ISSUE WILL BE HANDLED RESPONSIBLY IN PROCEDURAL TERMS: BUT THERE ARE BOUND TO BE MANY CRITICAL COMMENTS, ESPECIALLY FROM THE RADICALS.
9. IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL RESPOND TO THE NEW DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT (TO BE CONSIDERED ON 6 JULY). PRESENT INDICATIONS ARE THAT IT WILL BE ACCEPTED. BUT BOTH MEMBERS OF LEGCO AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE WILL TEND TO SEE ISSUE SUCH AS THIS AND THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AS TEST CASES OF HMG'S COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG. ANYTHING TO DO WITH BRITISH PASSPORTS (BN(O) OR BDTC) REMAINS A PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE AREA.
-
1997 FACTOR
10.
-
DESPITE GENERAL SATISFACTION WITH THE PRESENT STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE TERRITORY, THERE ARE MANY INDICATIONS OF WIDESPREAD UNDERLYING DISQUIET ABOUT LONGER TERM PROSPECTS THIS BOILS DOWN TO MISTRUST OF CHINA. THE MOST COMMON WORRIES RELATE TO POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE BY CHINA: FEAR FOR THE RULE OF LAW: MAINTENANCE OF STANDARDS: THE CAPRICIOUSNESS OF CHINESE CADRES AND THE INSTABILITY OF CHINESE POLITICS MANY PEOPLE ALSO WORRY ABOUTH CHINESE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE OPERATING STANDARDS AND SAFETY MEASURES AT THE DAYA BAY NUCLEARL POWER STATION.
11.
·
IT IS THE MIDDLE CLASS AND PROFESSIONALS WHO TEND TO FEEL
3
PAGE CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.