NOTE FOR THE FILE
por. Presentation
Pw
HONG KONG: REACTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS TO THE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (LEGCO)
The general response to the Governor's speech has been
remarkably favourable. In Britain and China, reactions have focussed on the constitutional package. Those in Hong Kong have been divided between the economic and welfare policies, which received overwhelming public support, and the constitutional
proposals, over which the response has been divided along predictable lines.
In Britain the press response has been exceptionally positive
right across the board, including the tabloids. It is a long
time since our Hong Kong policy has received such favourable
coverage. Words like 'cleverly judged' (Independent), 'shrewd’
(Guardian) and 'imaginative' (Emily Lau in the Daily Telegraph)
are used to describe the Governor's constitutional proposals. At the same time there is a general awareness that, in view of
China's inevitable hostility to some of them, Mr Patten has
taken 'a calculated political gamble', as the Times editorial (8 October) put it. Many commentators point out that the ultimate success of the Governor's plans for Hong Kong will
depend on how he (and Hong Kong) stand up to Peking's expected
reaction; but they welcome the new approach which Mr Patten has
set out. To quote the Times again: "He has yet to demonstrate
how effective his bulwarks can be made against post-1997
misrule. But in building accountablility into government, in quickening the pace of debate in Hong Kong, and in strengthening
general welfare he has made a brilliant, eloquent debut".
reactions.PR.JRB
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