14 December 1993
LAST PAPER
pa Political Parties
(DAB) City 011/3
14
Foreign & Commonwealth
Office
Tam Yiu-chung Vice-Chairman
Democratic Alliance for the
Betterment of Hong Kong Rooms E and F, 24th Floor China Overseas Building 139 Hennessy Road
Hong Kong
London SWIA 2AH
From The Minister of State
いた
HKB 011/3
Der la Tam
2
1393
S
Thank you for your letter of 7 December to Douglas Hurd about the introduction of legislation to the Legislative Council.
I well understand your concern about prospects for a successful conclusion to the talks on constitutional development. We would prefer, in the interests of the community, to be able to proceed with arrangements for the 1994 and 1995 elections on the basis of agreement with China. We therefore pulled out all the stops during the seven months of talks and explored every feasible avenue in the search for an agreement. However, as you know, it has been clear from the outset that the time available for discussion is limited. It is now necessary to proceed with legislation, which is why the Governor has announced that a Bill will be introduced on 15 December. We want to continue discussion with the Chinese side on the remaining, more difficult, aspects and, as you know, we have proposed a further round of talks for that purpose.
We have always done our utmost to discharge effectively our share of the responsibility placed by the Joint Declaration on both the Chinese and British Governments. We want to work in cooperation with China, because that is the best way of promoting the interests of Hong Kong's people. Even if it is not possible to agree on every issue, I hope that the Chinese side will join us in working for agreement on the widest possible range of issues relating to Hong Kong's future.
You suggested an early meeting between the British and Chinese Foreign Ministers. The 1991 Memorandum of Understanding on Hong Kong's new Airport includes an agreement that Foreign Ministers will meet twice a year. There were two meetings in 1993, and we look forward to maintaining our dialogue with China, at Foreign Minister level and at other levels.
مست
می قیت
Abel Zał
ALASTAIR GOODLAD