вр.
judgement, provided that it is consistent with our
international obligations: we are not willing to press the
people of Hong Kong to go further than they wish, nor to
deny them the scope for greater democracy consistent with
the Basic Law and the Joint Declaration. The key point is
that the electoral arrangements in Hong Kong should be
fair, open and acceptable to the people of Hong Kong.
It is disappointing to see that China has responded to
the publication of the Governor's proposals with a further
round of threats. That is not the way to resolve the
differences between us. China has both interests and
responsibilities as the future sovereign power. We will continue to work calmly for cooperation with China to
ensure the future success of Hong Kong.
Yours sincerely,
Stephn Smith
DOUGLAS HURD
(Approved by the Foreign Secretary and signed by the Private Secretary in his absence abroad)