FE/1341 A3/5
28 Mar 92
CHINA AND HONG KONG
[15]
SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP HOLDS
22ND MEETING
(a) Xinhua news agency in English 1440 gmt 26 Mar 92
Text of report
The 22nd meeting of the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group has discussed a number of matters covering lands and Hong Kong's international rights and obligations.
A press communique for the meeting which was held from March 24th to 26th March said that the Joint Liaison Group had a further discussion of the future of lands which are now in use for defence purposes in Hong Kong.
After a discussion of matters relating to Hong Kong's international rights and obligations, the group reached agreement on the continued application to Hong Kong after 1997 of nine international treaties in the fields of conservation, trade, postal communications and private international law, the communique said.
It noted that the group also had a further exchange of views on the implementation of the provisions of the joint declaration relating to the right of abode in Hong Kong after 1997.
The press communique said that the Joint Liaison Group had a further discussion of the question of mutual legal assistance in criminal matters between Hong Kong and certain
countries.
The group had an exchange of views on investment promotion and protection agreements between Hong Kong and relevant countries and made progress, it added.
It continued that the two sides had an exchange of views on matters relating to RTHK (Radio Television Hong Kong).
The two sides also had a further exchange of views on Hong Kong's air services agreements, it noted.
It said that the group had a further discussion about major franchises extending beyond 1997.
The next meeting of the Joint Liaison Group will take place in Beijing in June 1992.
(b) 'Ta Kung Pao' Hong Kong in Chinese 27 Mar 92
Text of report
Zhou Nan, director of the Xinhua news agency Hong Kong branch, reiterated here today [Beijing, 26th March} that problems caan be resolved by the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group as long as the Chinese and the British sides abide by the spirit of "mutual understanding and mutual compromise", just like the time when they were negotiating on the Hong Kong issue.
Zhou Nan indicated that some agreements reached at the just-concluded meeting of the Joint Liaison Group are not absolutely unchangeable. Asked whether the slow pace of progress in the work of the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group
was caused by a poor political atmosphere, he replied that he did not sense any particular problem in Sino-British relations, and that after the visit of British Prime Minister John Major to China, relations between the two countries has on the whole improved.
On the failure of the Joint Liaison Group to reach an agreement on the Radio-Television Hong Kong [RTHK] question, Zhou Nan indicated that the two sides have exchanged views at the meeting. In diplomatic terms, an exchange of views means that each side expounds its position, view and opinion and also listens to the other side. Then, the two sides go home to reflect on the views before continuing the talks.
On the question of the privatization of RTHK, he reiterated that because the issue involves a change in government structure and also affects the normal operation of the future government of the special administrative region, it is necessary for the issue to be examined by the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group. The RTHK issue was one of the topics of the deliberations.
Zhou Nan noted that he was pleased to see the Sino- British Joint Liaison Group begin its examination and discussion. As long as there is mutual understanding and mutual compromise on the two sides, it will not be difficult to resolve problems like this. Regarding how long it will take to resolve it, he maintained that this will have to be decided by the sincerity of the two sides to settle the issue.
He added that he is always optimistic about any problem and becomes more optimistic as we come closer to 1997.
On reports that 70% of airport-related contracts were awarded to British interests, Zhou Nan indicated that the matter should be left for discussion by the Sino-British Airport Commission and the Airport Consultative Authority; regarding why British interests made up 70% and whether or not there was a preference to British interest, Zhou Nan stated he knew nothing about the reasons behind this.
[16]
Li
Chinese and Hong Kong police cooperation Kwan-hua, the Hong Kong police commissioner, arrived in Beijing on 25th March for a brief visit and left for Hong Kong on the 26th, Zhongguo Tongxun She reported (Hong Kong in English 1555 gmt 26 Mar 92). Before his departure, he held a brief press conference at the Ministry of Public Security with Liu Wen, director of the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security, on their talks. It was reported that this was a preparatory meeting prior to a formal one to be held this coming April between the mainland and the Hong Kong police.
The initial round of meetings, according to Mr Li, mainly concentrated on positive measures to be adopted by the mainland and the Hong Kong police to strengthen the exchange of information on crimes with the aim of speeding up the solving of cases as well as upgrading efficiency in dealing with trans-regional crimes.
Liu Wen said that the mainland police had discovered a clue concerning a serious robbery which occurred at Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport and over 80,000 US dollars of suspected stolen money had been seized in eight provinces and cities. He added that following discussions between the mainland and the