TNAG-2260-FCO40-3256-Hong-Kong-Port-and-Airport-Development-Strategy-(PADS)-pres-1991 — Page 184

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CONFIDENTIAL

2.

機密

4.

The majority

Respondents in Wong Tai Sin thought although the Foreign

Secretary had returned from China empty handed, he had at least

succeeded in narrowing Sino-British-Hong Kong differences.

of contacts, mostly young people, hoped that Britain would not compromise

Hong Kong's autonomy in the negotiations, as confidence in Hong Kong's

autonomous future would be crushed. Contacts maintained that imple-

mentation, including financing the project was an internal affair,

and China had no right to veto, or to scrutinize it, even in accordance

with the Joint Declaration. They felt as long as there was a geniune

need for a new airport from a economic point of view, HKG should go

ahead with it, regardless of China's wishes. Contacts suspected

that China had an ulterior motive, and was making use of the airport

issue to establish or even formalise her right to meddle in Hong Kong's

affairs. They said considering the SARG would have access to sub-

stantial Land/Exchange funds by 1997, they felt it unnecessary for HKG

to have such a high reserve by 1997 as suggested by the Chinese, and

they pointed out that HKG might need the money to respond to changing

circumstances in the long-term interest of the Territory. Contacts

said that China's demand for the reserves ironically only revealed her

own lack of confidence in the future of Hong Kong. A few of the con-

servative elements regarded China's stance as understandable, and she

should have a say in matters straddling 1997. Neither did they see

any problem with China's demand on the financial reserves, as this was

supposed to ensure the financial stability of Hong Kong after 1997.

Contacts hoped HKG would not dwell too much on principles, but would

be more pragmatic in working out a mutually acceptable arrangements with

China. Some contacts urged HKG to disclose the contents of the Sino-

British talks, so as to ensure Hong Kong had not been " sold out behind

the scenes

Assessment Unit

Security Branch

SCR 10/1476/82

23 April 1991

CONFIDENTIAL #

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