HKB 011/6
*GISTRY
RECI
TIME:
1993
REGISTRY
PRIME MINISTER'S QUESTION TIM
15 JULY
HONG KONG
138
Foreign Secretary's visit to Peking
He
Douglas Hurd was in Peking last week to discuss Hong Kong and other issues with the Chinese Foreign Minister. was not there to negotiate, but to focus the negotiations on key points in order to reach an understanding.
- We are keen to make progress in our talks with the Chinese side in the interest of Hong Kong. Time is not unlimited.
At his meeting with the Governor and other Ministers earlier this month the Prime Minister expressed wholehearted support for the Governor's proposals, and for the conduct of the talks with China. agreed that we should press ahead with the talks.
It was
Our aim is to secure agreement on electoral arrangements which are fair, open and acceptable to the people of Hong Kong.
Is there a deadline for the negotiations?
- We want the talks to succeed. It would not be helpful to start talking about deadlines. But clearly the talks cannot go on for ever. Legislation must be in place in time for the 1994 District Board election.
Will the Governor's proposals be watered down?
- The Governor's approach has the full support of the British Government as we agreed again earlier this month. His aim and our aim in the talks with China, is to secure agreement on electoral arrangements which are open, fair and acceptable to Hong Kong.
(Defensive: National People's Congress set up preparatory group for post-1997 Hong Kong).
Under the Joint Declaration Britain is responsible for administering Hong Kong up to 1997. No one is questioning that.
Lord Howe's report on Human Rights in China
Grateful to Lord Howe and his team for undertaking this visit. A valuable report which points to a number of areas where situation could be improved.
Hope the Chinese Government will give it careful and positive consideration.
- We are ready to implement those recommendations relevant to us.
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