Date
CONFIDENTIAL
- 5-
Appendix II
Chinese Comments on the "Three-Legged" Stool Theory
Official/Sources
Remarks
/Commentators
9.5.93
An "observer" of
Ta Kung Pao
9.5.93
Lau Hiu-keng of
Wen Wei Po
10.5.93
Kwan Chiu of Ta
Kung Pao
11.5.93
Yuan Pengyan of
NCNA
11.5.93
Editorial of Wen
Wei Po
The Governor's argument that a "three- legged" stool is better than a "two-legged stool" is a serious challenge to China's sovereignty. It is getting more obvious
that the Governor would like HK to become an independent leg. Unless the Governor gives up his "three-legged stool" theory, neither negotiations nor co-operation can proceed normally between China Britain.
By promoting the "three-legged stool" theory, the Governor has been trying to solicit international support for his political package and this would be
detrimental to the Sino-British talks.
Mr Patten has two legs, by why doesn't he fall over? Is the British side playing the tricks of "war and peace" by allowing the Governor to promote the "three-legged" stool theory? Does it treat Peking, where Sino-British talks are held, as the "main battlefield" and hope to develop a second
battlefield outside the talks.
The "three-legged stool" theory has not taken account of China's sovereign rights. The Governor is only trying to pose obstacle to the Sino-British talks.
With his "three-legged stool" theory, the Governor is trying to give Western politicians an impression that HK is a separate political entity.
CONFIDENTIAL