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11.
The papers (1.11) reported both the Governor and Sir Robin McLaren had denied the coming cabinet meeting would decide on whether to end the talks. They were quoted as saying the cabinet meeting would only map out the strategy and tactics for the last phase of the talks. Both noted time was running out.
12. The HK Economic Times quoted (1.11) NCNA HK Branch Vice- director Zhu Yucheng as saying the definition of "subversive act" should be explained by legislation introduced by the NPC Standing Committee.
13. A returning Yan Chai Hospital delegation quoted (1.11) Lu Ping as saying there was some progress in the 15th round but the British side should return to the three conformities to enable the talks to succeed. HKMAO official Chen Ziying was quoted as saying HK people needed not to be too pessimistic. The Chinese side would adhere to the BL to enable a smooth transition.
14.
Sing Tao Daily quoted (2.11) reliable sources as saying that the Chinese department responsible for HK and Macau affairs had received instructions that should the talks fail, the Chinese side would advance the discussions by the PWC on the concrete measures for returning the first HKSAR legislature. The measures would be passed and announced by the NPC Standing Committee in 1995. Chinese sources told the paper that the senior level of the Chinese Government had made assessment on the talks in a document Last week to the offices responsible for HK and Macau affairs. The sources said the Chinese side assessed the possibility of the talks breaking down was higher than ever. They hoped the PWC could play a role in weakening the HKG's administrative power. The Chinese side were considering delegating power to the PWC from the NPC Standing Committee to strengthen its role as the "second power centre" during the transition.
15. An article in the November issue of Cheng Ming magazine said (2.11) Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen spoke at a State Council meeting on contingency measures in the event of a break down in the talks. The measures included the advancing of the setting up of the SARPC to an appropriate time in 1995 and a proposal to form a working group led by the State Council to deal with possible upheavals in HK.
Governor
16. In an interview with Sing Tao Daily (29.10) the Governor said
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