Anyone reading Hong Kong newspapers in either English or Chinese will find articles on dissident Wei Jingsheng's release, the Dalai Lama's call for Tibetan autonomy, Taiwanese independence cries, and other unfavorable stories about China. The chief executive, Mr. C.H. Tung, is definitely in charge, with the Chinese officials in Hong Kong taking an extremely low profile. The People's Liberation Army has not been seen anywhere out of its barracks in uniform. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative has told his staff in strictest terms that China will only be responsible for foreign affairs, but not for Hong Kong's domestic affairs. Mr. Tung has traveled to Canada, Europe, Japan and the United States, being very much his own man in dealings with foreign leaders, and Beijing has full confidence in him.
Demonstrations continue, although mostly on social issues.
Democrats such as Martin Lee continue to speak out in Hong Kong and abroad, and anti-China films like Red Corner and Seven Years in Tibet will be shown here. Actually, the more interesting developments in Hong Kong post-July 1 have been on the business side. This, again, is not because, as feared, Chinese enterprises are injecting corruption and favoritism into Hong Kong business. That has not happened. It also is not because foreign companies have left Hong Kong after the resumption of Chinese sovereignty because of a lack of confidence.