Date
CONFIDENTIAL
Appendix I
Chinese Comments on Internationalisation of HK question
Official/Sources
/Commentators
Remarks
8.5.93
Tse Ying in Wen Wei Po
9.5.93
10.5.93
Ta Kung Pao's "observer" and Lau Hiu-keng in Wen Wei Po
Kwan Man-leung in Ta Kung Pao
11.5.93
Yuan Pengyan, NCNA HK
11.5.93
Chen Rongchun, NCNA HK
11.5.93
Wen Wei Po's editorial
13.5.93
Peking sources quoted by the United Daily
News
14.5.93
Lu Ping, HKMAO
14.5.93
Editorial in the New Evening Post
Mr Patten's description of HK as an "international asset" is a challenge to China's sovereignty.
In describing HK as an "international asset", Mr Patten is urging the US and western countries to collaborate with the UK to turn HK into an independent or semi- independent political entity.
The real purpose of Mr Patten's US trip is to solicit support for his political package in order to form an Anglo-US alliance to exert pressure on Peking.
Mr Patten is playing the international card through his remarks on the "through train", the "three-legged stool" and "international asset" during his US visit. This will create obstacles in the Sino-British talks.
China is firmly opposed to the internationalisation of the HK issue, which is something Mr Patten is trying to achieve.
Mr Patten cannot deny that he was playing the international card during his US trip. His remarks on the "three-legged stool" and the description of HK as an "international asset" are good evidence.
The Chinese stand on the HK question is that it is a matter between China and Britain, and that no third party should interfere.
The internationalisation of the HK question will complicate matters and create difficulties for the talks. While HK should continue to be an international centre in the economic aspects, it should not become a political centre, not to mention an international political centre. Should HK become an arena for various international political forces, it will only bring disaster to the six million HK people.
HK's economic development and social stability will be undermined if HK becomes the arena for various international political forces.
CONFIDENTIAL