05-MAR-1993
15:37
HK GOVERNMENT HOUSE
2
852 521 1868
P.04
4.
We received a positive response on the principle of talks from the Chinese side. To help ensure that talks got off to the best possible start, I therefore decided, with the advice of the Executive Council, to postpone our original plan for gazettal on 12 February, while making clear to the Chinese side that there could not be an indefinite delay, given the practical need to press ahead with legislation. We proposed an early starting date for the talks and told the Chinese side of the composition of our negotiating team.
5.
In the absence of a Chinese response, I decided, with the advice of ExCo, to
to delay gazettal for a second time on 19 February and a third time on 26 February. We wished to give every possible opportunity for the Chinese side to respond. In my judgement, Honourable Members and the community would expect us to go the extra mile in an effort to secure productive talks with the Chinese Government.
6.
At the beginning of this week, we did receive a reply. But despite further diplomatic contacts, in which we have continued to press for early talks, we have not yet been able to announce a starting date for them. We have made plain that we are ready for the talks to proceed on the basis of the Joint Declaration, the principle of convergence with Basic Law and the relevant understandings and agreements reached between China and Britain. We consider our proposals are wholly compatible with these as, for example, I made clear when I addressed the Legislative Council on 24 October.
7.
I thought it only right to give Honourable Members an account of where we now stand. As far as we are concerned we are ready to talk immediately. Following further exchanges in Peking this week, there remain only a few points of disagreement which could and should be resolved quickly.
In the meantime, we judge it best to defer gazettal for a fourth time today.
8.