TNAG-2454-FCO40-3572-Hong-Kong-opinion-polls-1992 — Page 5

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FM BTC HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 349

OF 141035Z DECEMBER 92

INFO IMMEDIATE DTI

INFO PRIORITY PEKING

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MAB dizis

p... Opinnan polls Ерігіні

161406 MDHIAN 2263

Mas Stunde 15,716%,

✓ 16/12

BUSINESS ROUND-UP: HONG KONG

SUMMARY

1. A CONFIDENTIAL SURVEY OF MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG SHOWS SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNOR'S CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS. CONCLUSIONS LIKELY TO BE PUBLISHED

SOON.

DETAIL

2. A MEETING ONE MONTH AGO OF THE CHAMBER'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PRODUCED A HEATED AND INCONCLUSIVE DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW THE CHAMBER SHOULD REACT TO THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS. A SMALL GROUP OF POLITICAL ACTIVISTS PRESSED FOR ENDORSEMENT OF THE LINE BEING TAKEN BY VINCENT LO IN THE NAME OF THE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION. THE CHAIRMAN, WHO IS CHINESE BY BIRTH AND REPRESENTS GEC IN THE REGION, POSTPONED ACTION BY INSISTING ON A PRIVATE SURVEY OF MEMBER'S VIEWS. THESE WERE ASSESSED AT A FRESH MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TODAY AND THE CONCLUSIONS ARE INTERESTING.

3. 64.8 PERCENT EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS: 61.5 PERCENT EXPECTED THESE WOULD HAVE IN IMPACT ON MEMBERS' BUSINESS. 45 PERCENT SUPPORTED A FASTER PACE OF DEMOCRATISATION AND 50.5 PERCENT THOUGHT 'CONVERGENCE' NECESSARY.

4. THE RESPONSE TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS LOW (29.3 PERCENT) BUT ONE CAN ASSUME THAT ONLY THOSE WITH STRONG VIEWS WISHED TO ANSWER.

5. THE SURVEY TENDS TO CONFIRM ONE'S IMPRESSIONS THAT

(A) OPINIONS WITHIN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ARE SPREAD ACROSS THE SPECTRUM:

(B) THE ANTIS ARE THE MOST VOCAL: AND

How does he conclude this from

para 3 ?

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