FE/0583 A3/1
A. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
3. FAR EASTERN RELATIONS
10 Oct 89
PRC OFFICIAL SAYS BRITAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN HONGKONG
Xinhua in English 1439 gmt 8 Oct 89
Text of report from Hongkong, "Chief Chinese representative holds Britain responsible for Hongkong's confidence problem”
The British side has the unshirkable responsibility for the present problem of confidence in Hongkong, the senior Chinese representative of the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group, ambassador Ke Zaishuo, said here today [Hongkong, 8th October]. And because of the British side's sticking to its erroneous stand, the two sides were divided on some major issues of principle at the recent meeting of the Joint Liaison Group, said Ke Zaishuo, who is fresh from the meeting, in an interview with Xinhua.
In the interview, Ke shared his views on the current situation in Hongkong and the recent work of the Joint Liaison Group. Many things related to the Sino-British relations and the situation in Hongkong have taken place since the group's 12th meeting, Ke said. Following the quelling of the Peking anti-government riots, he said, many people developed worries and misunderstandings because of their lack of knowledge of the truth and false reporting and even rumours by some news media, but “this is understandable".
Chinese leaders have repeatedly stated that China's political situation is stable, the eocnomy is constantly developing, the nation's reform and open policy and its policies for Hongkong and Macao drawn up in line with the "one country, two systems" concept, will remain unchanged, Ke said. "Therefore, the Hongkong and Macao compatriots should set their hearts at ease completely."
An important reason leading to the present problem of confidence in Hongkong lies in some "irresponsible actions" on the part of Britain, Ke said. The British side unilaterally announced the suspension of the Joint Liaison Group's work in this past June, "causing negative consequences," Ke said. A handful of people used Hongkong to engage in sabotage and activities aimed at overthrowing the Chinese government, he said. "The British side adopted an attitude of connivance towards this." "Therefore," he said, "The British side has unshirkable responsibility for the present problem of confidence in Hongkong."
Regrettably, the British side is still sticking to its erroneous stand, and "this is also why the two sides were divided on some major issues of principle at the 13th meeting of the Sino- British Liaison Group recently held in London,” Ke said.
The signing of the Sino-British joint declaration once led to the prime era in the history of Sino-British relations, Ke said. "That resulted from the common, long-term efforts of the Chinese and British governments and ought to be prized."
In the strict implementation of the joint declaration lie both the interest and obligations of the two sides, he said. "We have taken note of the British government's promise to
completely and earnestly implement the joint declaration," Ke said. "We hope the British government will translate this promise into action.”
In the Joint Liaison Group's future work, he said, the Chinese side will continue to adhere to the provisions on the implementation of the joint declaration and work for the stability and prosperity of Hongkong and the smooth hand- over of the colony in 1997.
CHINESE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER CONTRASTS BRITISH AND PORTUGUESE CO-OPERATION OVER HONGKONG AND MACAO
Hongkong 'Ta Kung Pao' in Chinese 8 Oct 89
Text of "dispatch from Xian”
Vice Foreign Minister Zhou Nan, who is accompanying the Governor of Macao on a trip to Xian, said today [7th October] that it will be bad for Sino-British relations if some people want to cause disruption in Hongkong. In particular, it will be bad for the people of Hongkong. At the same time Zhou Nan praised the cautious attitude taken by Portugal towards the "4th June" incident in Peking.
Zhou Nan said to journalists while accompanying the Governor on a vist to the terracotta warrior and horse museum that so far as China is concerned, we hope to co- operate with Portugal and Britain on the Macao and Hongkong issues, based on strict adhererence to the spirit of the joint declarations.
Zhou Nan said that Sino-British co-operation on the Hongkong issue was quite good for a time but after "4th June", some problems appeared between the countries on the issue.
Zhou Nan said that China was not to blaine for this. He hoped that in the future Britain will co-operate with China as Portugal does.
Zhou Nan stated that if some people want to cause disruption in Hongkong, this will be bad for China and Britain, and first of all for the people of Hongkong.
Zhou Nan praised Portugal's cautious attitude toward the "4th June" incident in Peking. He said that Portugal took a relatively objective approach and was able to take the overall situation into account. He said that the Chinese side thinks that Portugal has adopted a wise approach, and believes that history will prove that it was a correct one.
Zhou Nan also summed up the results of the Macao Governor's visit to Peking. He said that the Governor's meetings and talks with Chinese leaders have further deepened mutual understanding. He described the atmosphere of the talks as harmonious and full of the spirit of co-operation and mutual undestanding. He predicted that the two sides will certainly step up co-operation still further in the future.