MADABE
(iii) Likely Chinese Sensitivities
Nature of Enquiry
For reasons already explained, given the Chinese political system, general lack of awareness among Chinese officials of the nature of the parliamentary process.
Useful if Committee could therefore start each meeting with Chinese by explaining their own status and plan and stressing that Committee has independent status, not extension of HMG.
Specific Sensitivities
Secretary of State and Sir A Donald have already touched on
question of Chinese sensitivities.
Committee would find it useful.
be handled tactfully are:
Happy to go over ground again,if Specific points which will need to
Basic Law
-
Chinese will be sensitive to any suggestion that HMG or Westminster Parliament should have locus in draft Basic Law.
This
is primarily because they regard drafting of Basic Law a matter for the sovereign state. May also be suspicious that Britain may be seeking to find ways to continue to exert influence over Hong Kong over 1997.
But they are unlikely to cavill if FAC puts forward views on
'personal comments' or
or 'suggestion' which Chinese might like to consider or if they rain points which have been put to them as representing views of Hong Kong people.
Pace of Democratisation in Hong Kong
Although Chinese have been brought to accept principle of universal suffrage as ultimate objective for Hong Kong, suggestions from same quarters in Hong Kong that introduction of fully