HKD 021/2
Ri
3. MAR 1993
File
33
GISTRY
7. Takan
MR GOODLAD ́S PROPOSED MEETING WITH SENIOR MINISTER LEE KUAN- YEW
Points to Make
Believe you had an exchange of correspondence with Chris Patten after your visit to Hong Kong at the end of last year.
Emphasise that our policy on political development in Hong Kong developed purely in response to wishes of people of Hong Kong for more democracy in Hong Kong. No discussion with Americans (either Bush or Clinton's campaign) during work on Governor's proposals last summer.
- There has never been any question of sharing the making of British policy towards Hong Kong. That is decided in London and Hong Kong.
Realise Chinese leaders are highly sensitive to what they see as the danger of political contamination from Hong Kong.
But they are quite wrong to see plots and conspiracies at work.
- Our concern is to make the promise in the Joint Declaration of 'one country, two systems' really work in practice. China: accepted in JD that LegCo would be "constituted by elections" so no argument that Hong Kong should develop in its own way.
- We want to reach an agreement with China on the detailed electoral arrangements, so that the Legislative Council elected in 1995 will represent Hong Kong people properly both before and
after 1997.
-* :
Disappointing that, despite our intensive efforts over two months, we have not yet got an acceptable basis for talks. But we are continuing to try - I took new initiative on this before I left London.
-
Very conscious that smooth transfer of sovereignty in Hong Kong good for stability and prosperity in the region as a whole. Hope you will urge Chinese to negotiate with us rather than hurl crude insults at Chris Patten.
eet.good.PR.JRB