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4.
We received a prompt and encouraging 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 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.
Despite continuous diplomatic contacts, in which we have continued to press for early talks, we have not yet been able to announce a starting date for talks. I have made plain
that we are ready for the talks to proceed on the basis of the Joint Declaration, the Basic Law and the exchange of correspondence between the two Foreign Ministers; and that I consider my 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 fair 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 detail raised by the Chinese side to be agreed, we regard these as relatively minor and are awaiting a Chinese reply on them.
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