POINTS TO MAKE
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Realise that we have disagreements over the scope of the Governor's proposals, and the handling of them with the Chinese before they were announced. But hope you accept that we do not differ on objectives: and open elections, and to maintain as far as possible a cooperative relationship with China.
we want to see fair
We were well aware that the Chinese would object to some of the Governor's electoral proposals. The vehemence of their reaction seems to be due to a combination of
factors:
1
The
Anxiety that the Governor's appointment and his proposals represent a change of British policy towards
Hong Kong. As you know, this is not the case. 1995 elections were always going to be a difficult issue with the Chinese. The Governor and Ministers
took a political decision that it would not have been possible to spend months in consultation with the Chinese (with very little chance of reaching agreement) before making announcements publicly. No other choice, given the level of speculation about this issue in Hong
Kong.
Their conspiracy theory that the Governor's proposals form part of an international plot to undermine the Chinese regime. Very unhelpful that Lee Qian Yew has given this further currency.
Possibly a sense that the Prime Minister was in a weak position and the British counsels were divided.
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