agreement to delailed lalks the UK and China could ahead. We could engage in discussions on specifics rather than general arguments.
mor
The President:
I have been dealing with Hong Kong since 1989 when began my work al the center.
I have met with Mr. Hurd, Mr. Heath, Mrs Thatcher, Governor Wilson, and other officials on this maller.
I
an
over
From my meetings with them I believed it was aspiration of both sides that there should be a hand leading to a stable and prosperous llong Kong. This was before last Oclober. This is a most important point.
I have always felt that the long Kong question is left over from history. The issue is between Brilain and China. There should be no involvement of third parties. Although Hong Kong is an international cenler, it should not be an international issue.
Kong
Shanghai will never lake over the role of Hong we all think this. They are different regions with different characteristics. This is an important point.
I think the fulure prosperity of Hong Kong and will benefit not only Hong Kong but also China Britain because of business interests. Il was my feeling that this was bolh our posilions until Governor Pallen's proposals were produced last year without prior discussions.
and
It is not true that China is adding new conditions. It is working on the "Declaration", the "Basic Law", the exchange of lellers between the Foreign Ministers. In the construction of the Basic Law the opinions of the Brilish side were solicited.
Mrs
Less than two months after I came to the center, Thatcher sent a special envoy to me with a two page leller. I recall clearly that it said that there would be nol Il also said that internationalisation of this issue. because of world wide changes for increased democracy the number of elected members of the "Legco" should be increased from 10 to 20. It was because of this leller from Mrs. Thatcher that we agreed to increase the number
her
that the term
to 18.
I remember,
I lold
envoy