TNAG-2457-FCO40-3578-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-presentation-1992 — Page 29

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TALKING POINTS 30 October 1992

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TALKING POINTS issues on Fridays and records public views and reactions on current talking points collected from a small number of respondents in both urban and New Territories regions by City and New Territories Administration liaison staff over the week. As TALKING POINTS is not based upon a large representative cross-section of public opinion, indications in it should be treated with caution and should not be quoted authoritatively without first checking their reliability with the City and New Territories Administration.

GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO BEIJING

Respendents in general had expected that the Governor's visit to Beijing would be inconclusive. Given the strong Chinese criticism of the Governor's constitutional development proposals, most did not envisage that a friendly and co-operative atmosphere would be in place for the talks. Some were nonetheless surprised by the extent of the cold reception given to the Governor. Since many respondents had hoped that the visit could at least bring about the start of a sound working relationship between the new Governor and his Chinese counterparts, they were now worried that Sino-British relations had been seriously undermined. Some respondents opined that the Governor's failure to consult the Chinese side before announcing the proposals had now placed him in a dilemma. While pressing ahead regardless would not be fruitful, any compromise would affect the Governor's credibility and be seen as indicative of a surrender of the rule over Hong Kong to China prior to 1997.

2.

Some regarded the strong reaction from China as a form of blackmail and held that LegCo members should back the proposals. Some other respondents pointed out that while China would be prepared to allow more openness in economic development, her attitude towards democratization had all along been very conservative. It was therefore highly unlikely that China would

soften its stance during the Governor's visit.

SINO-BRITISH DISPUTE OVER HONG KONG'S CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

3.

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All respondents were very concerned with the prevailing dispute over Hong Kong's.constitutional development, and many had taken note of the contents of the documentation released by the British and Chinese Governments. Views were divided as to there had been a 'secret' deal or agreement on Hong constitutional development. Some considered that there deal and that even if some form of understanding existed, not taken account of the views of Hong Kong people and therefore be null and void. The Governor should strive to achieve what was proposed in his policy address. Many of them, however, felt strongly that any escalation in the war of words between China and the UK would be contrary to the interest of Hong Kong and urged the two sides to resume negotiation in a calm and rational manner.

was no it had should

C.N.T.A. 8 (Rev.)

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