Constituencies, even though the Chinese side still maintained
their refusal to discuss objective criteria for the through
train. The details of the revised proposals are set out in Part III of this White Paper. Part III also explains why the Chinese proposals on these issues were unacceptable.
e) FOURTH PHASE SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 1993 (ROUNDS 10-17)
32.
During these rounds, the British side offered further important moves on the Functional Constituencies and issues
related to the Election Committee. The Chinese side made some
minor adjustments to their position on functional
constituencies. A discussion of through train criteria finally
got underway. The possibility of an interim agreement dealing with the most urgent issues was fully explored.
33. The Foreign Secretary held a further meeting with the
Chinese Foreign Minister in the margins of the UN General
Assembly in New York on 1 October. The Foreign Secretary expressed disappointment at the lack of progress, despite the major moves made by the British side in an effort to bridge the
gap. He emphasised that the British side were working for
success in the talks, but that before the talks could make further progress, it was essential that a discussion of through
train criteria should begin. In response to a proposal from the Chinese side, he explained that an interim agreement on
District Board and Municipal Council elections only was not
attractive, since a number of the elements also applied to the
Legislative Council elections (eg voting age and voting method)
and should be dealt with together. The Foreign Secretary briefed the Chinese Foreign Minister on the main points
relating to the talks on the Governor's Annual Address to the
Legislative Council which was delivered on 6 October.
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