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From: RF Wye
Far Eastern Section Research & Analysis Dept OAB 2/125 210 6219/6216
Date: 6 October 1993
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DRAFT WHITE PAPER
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Thankyou for showing this, and earlier, drafts. have made a very clear and persuasive presentation of a difficult and complex case. The one general comment I have, and it informs several of the more particular ones, is one of style. This will be a major document in the propaganda battle that follows the breakdown, should it occur. The Chinese response is likely to be long on rhetoric and short on argument (a recent example is their White Paper on Taiwan, but it is their approach generally). Ours, at least as exemplified in this White Paper, is likely to be the other way round. This is partly a question of national style. am not suggesting that our interests or our case would be best preserved by adopting a totally rhetorical approach. But we are seeking hearts and minds in Hong Kong as well as in the UK and the international community. We should perhaps do a little tub thumping as well as presenting a reasoned case (which is our strength as we see it). The best place for that might be the Secretary of State's introduction.
2.
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The Secretary of State's introduction opens with the blunt statement of the failure of the talks. Although it does later contain remarks about the great efforts we made to reach to agreement and our commitment to continued cooperation with China, these might be summarised in the opening paragraph. We are trying to show ourselves as both reasonable and committed to the interests of Hong Kong. We should say that right at the beginning. What follows is no more than a suggestion for the shape of the opening paragraph.
"The talks...without agreement. We tried long and sincerely to reach a mutually acceptable solution. Regrettably, this did not prove possible. This White Paper....proceed. Nonetheless we remain committed to continued cooperation with the Chinese side, in all matters concerning the future prosperity and well being of the people of Hong Kong".
Quoted from
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Is "pace" the right word in the third sentence of paragraph 3? It has been one of the central arguments of the Chinese that we have been forcing the pace of democratic development, and we too have been committed to a faster pace of democracy than that