HKB 011/6
RECE
IN REGISTRY 06 APR 1993
PA
30 March 1993
REGISTRY Action Taken
Manis
34/3
Foreign & Commonwealth
Office
London SW1A 2AH
From The Secretary of State
HKJ
70
Dear Robert,
Thank you for your letter of 19 March. Like you, I am
concerned that, despite considerable efforts on our part,
we have been unable to persuade the Chinese to enter a
dialogue. However, I do not share your analysis of the reasons why. Of your three "explanations", the first two
are certainly not correct and, although I cannot speak for
China, I do not believe that your third choice accurately
reflects their position.
You should by now have received a copy of my letter of
24 March to colleagues, which explains the background to
the proposals which the Governor put to the Legislative
Council on 7 October. It also explains how the proposals
fit with the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, and makes
clear that the exchange of letters I had with the Chinese
Foreign Minister in 1990 did not result in an understanding
between us on the 1995 elections.
You do not discount the intransigence of certain
people in Peking as a factor in our differences with China.
I wonder if you give it sufficient weight. I know that the
Chinese maintain that our proposals are in breach of
earlier agreements, but I am disappointed that you share
their view. It is not supported by the facts. We have
invited the Chinese to tell us where they believe our
proposals breach the Joint Declaration, or the Basic Law,
Robert Adley Esq MP