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the Prime Minister raising Hong Kong issues directly with
Chinese leaders this year, and might this be through letters
between the two Premiers? What else can be done to restart
dialogue with Beijing over political development, and
there a role for a special envoy from London?
A.2 We continue to believe that the best way to resolve
differences, whether over Hong Kong or anything else, is to
sit down and discuss the issues in a mature and considered
way. That is the approach we have adopted from the start.
The Governor said when he announced his proposals on
7 October, that they were proposals, for discussion;
and we
would like to discuss them with China. We have repeated our
invitation to the Chinese Authorities many times over recent
months to join us in talks about electoral arrangements;
and we shall continue to follow this sensible course./I am
pleased that they have now agreed to join us in talks about these issues.] As you know the Chinese Foreign Minister and I have agreed to meet twice a year, and I look forward to our
next meeting. No dates have yet been set.
Q.3 Will the British government positively support 1995 election arrangements put forward by the Governor and
Executive Council in the Legislative Council debate, or adopt a neutral stance? Will London support any model for the 1995 elections emerging from Legco? Do you accept Beijing is worried the contents of diplomatic discussions with Britain
will be disclosed, and are you prepared to guarantee they will be kept confidential, even if it brings charges of "secret talks" from Hong Kong people?
A.3 The Prime Minister and I and the Minister of State, Mr
Goodlad have repeatedly said that the Governor's proposals
have the full support of Her Majesty's Government. Shortly
after his appoinment as Governor, I recall that Chris Patten said that on Hong Kong policy in the future, "You will not be able to put so much as a piece of tissue paper between me and the Prime Minister". He was right you can't. We hope to hold talks with China to see if we can reach an understanding
scsmpsos.min JM BRIEF
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