will be put to the new ExCo following Governor's LegCo address.
Why no Martin Lee on ExCo?
Governor's proposals establish a level playing field for all political parties in Hong Kong coupled with proposals to build up the Legislature and strengthen accountability.
Separation of the membership of ExCo and LegCo leaves
Legislative Councillors free to develop their representative
role.
What if Chinese do not agree electoral arrangements? End of
smooth transition?
-
- We will make every effort to reach agreement with Chinese side. "Through train" for LegCo provided for in Basic Law would provide welcome continuity. But we have responsibility
for Hong Kong until July 1997, and need to balance prospect of
continuity against meeting wishes of Hong Kong people for more democracy. Only possible to strike that balance after full discussion with China: in practice, by early next year.
Very much in China's interest also to see smooth transition,
and continuing success for Hong Kong.
Airport
Do you share the Governor's impatience with the Chinese reaction
on airport financing?
- We would certainly like to have seen agreement by now. The ball is in the Chinese court Everyone agrees that a new airport
is important for Hong Kong. We have done our very best to take account of Chinese problems with the financing arrangements, and
have given them some new proposals based on their own ideas. Mr Hurd discussed this briefly with the Foreign Minister. Look
forward to a constructive Chinese response through the Airport
Committee.
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