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Ministers had emphasised that the Governor's proposals were, as he had frequently emphasised in public, proposals not faits accomplis. If the Chinese side had alternatives, we would be happy to receive them.
- Ministers had listened carefully to Zhu Rongji's statements. As the Prime Minister had said, there were genuine differences of judgement and opinion between the two sides. These needed clarification: and the only way to achieve that was through detailed discussions in private. We looked forward to a Chinese reaction to the Prime Minister's conclusion.
- we hoped the Chinese side would move away from strident public attacks on the Governor and his proposals to a resumption of private discussion. We were open to further suggestions from China on the channel for such discussions. The Joint Liaison Group, whom Qian Qichen had identified as one possibility, would be meeting in early December. We had already indicated our readiness to use this forum.
- In the meantime, a lively debate was underway in Hong Kong on the Governor's proposals. Some alternatives had already been put forward. If workable alternatives emerged, they would be seriously considered, provided that they met the criteria (which Lu Ping had himself endorsed at his press conference after the Governor's visit) that the arrangements for the 1995 elections should be open, fair and command the widespread support of Hong Kong people.
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