FOR
P RICKETTS
6
China has been prepared to negotiate constructively in the
past. The arrangements for a steady increase in the number of
directly elected members of Hong Kong's parliament up to and
after 1997 are evidence of that. The task now is to find a way back to the negotiating table. That is going to require flexibility is
It will confront us with some unpalatable choices. But questions
of face are unimportant when measured against Hong Kong's
future.
Once the basis for a return to negotiations is established,
China should lift its threats against Hong Kong and agree to work
on the new airport going ahead. No-one can be expected to
negotiate under duress.
Experience shows that such negotiations can and do
produce solutions acceptable to Britain, to China and to the
people of Hong Kong. They will this time, and Hong Kong will
continue to flourish and prosper.
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