16.8.93
a Chinese
official quoted by The Standard
16.8.93
Wen Wei Po
editorial
16.8.93
New Evening Post editorial
17.8.93
17.8.93
Jiang Enzhu on the first day of the ninth round
of talks
Zhou Nan at a meeting with local NPC delegates
CONFIDENTIAL
- 4
to create new obstacles to the talks. These include the merging of the Yau Tsim and Mong Kok Districts, the appointment of the Boundary and Election Commission, Mr Patten's remarks that no agreement is better than a bad agreement, his indication that he will table the reform package should there be no agreement by the time of his October policy address, and the sudden change in civil service policy without first informing the Chinese side.
Peking now realises that a final agreement on the election arrangements requires compromise from both sides. However, on substantive points, Peking has to ensure that the British Government will not breach
any agreement.
Prior to the ninth round, the British side has continued its petty tricks and spread messages that will not help the talks. These include Mr Patten's argument that having no agreement is better than having a bad agreement, Acting Governor Sir David Ford's remarks that the two sides have little common language at the eight rounds of talks and the Government's sudden move to change the civil service system. Mr Patten is probably betting that China will not dare overhaul his "three violations" proposals in the interests of HK's stability and prosperity, but he is wrong.
The British side should return to the
"three conformities" and not branch out to
side issues that concern China's sovereignty rather than the main theme of the talks.
(On whether agreement can be reached on certain issues before the ministerial meeting) The talks will achieve progress if both sides abide by the "three conformities".
I hope an early agreement will be reached in the talks in accordance with the "three
conformities".
CONFIDENTIAL