General
CONFIDENTIAL ##
Weekly Information Report
Week ending 24 April 1991
The Future
HKB 182/4
機密
3
TF LGC
Pa
Pads (News)
Across the whole of the New Terrritories Sino-British-
Hong Kong Relations continues to be the main topic of interest
(10 WIRS).
Sino British-Hong Kong Relations
2.
Respondents in all the N.T. districts were disappointed
at the adjournment of the Sino-British talks on PADS, and there
was growing concern that an agreement might not be reached.
Respondents were afraid that Sino-British relations would further
deteriorate as a result of the impasse, which would ultimately hurt the Territory's economy. On the other hand most were against yielding to China's demands to have veto powers over important
matters straddling 1997, and were afraid if Hong Kong succumbed to
Chinese pressure, it would lose its autonomy, and confidence in
the Territory's future would dissipate completely.
Greater
transparency on the talks was called for coupled with the desire
that CPG/HMG take the views of Hong Kong people seriously. A
small number of respondents would be delighted to see PADS
shelved, they said Hong Kong would not have to sacrifice its
autonomy, it would also help to ease the pressure on inflation;
and reduce the need to increase taxes. These respondents be-
lieved the economy would still be in good shape; because of HKG
investment in other non-PADS related projects.
3.
Contacts' views in Kwai Tsing over the PADS impasse,
were divided. Some contacts from the business and financial sectors felt that HKG should go ahead with the project, regard-
less of China's stand on the matter. They felt strongly that
Hong Kong's autonomy should not be sacrificed or compromised in
any way in exchange for China's support on the project. They
were concerned that the confidence of the
\ international...
CONFIDENTIAL
機密
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.