5-
292 337 1520
P.18
QIAN DICHEN (3333) (写真落)
The papers on Sunday noted that Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Oichen had during a meeting with S Secretary of State Warren Christonher in Seattle said that China would have no problem in maintaining HK's prosperity and stability and a smooth transition of the territory in 1997. Mr qian also told Mr Christopher that China hoped the Sino- British talks could be speeded up.
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT
Today's papers quoted 'DHK vice-chairman and Legco member Dr Yeung Sum as warning the British side not to make any concessions on the "single- seat, single-vote" system and the abolition of appointed seats on DBs and the municipal councils. Di Yeng said that if Britain did back down, UDHK would protest strongly and take "decisive" actions. However, he refused to disclose the details of the actions. UDHK chairman Martin Lee was quoted by Ming Pao as criticising Mr Patten and Britain for giving way to China. He said that he would later visit the US and explain HK's situation to people there. Before leaving, he would meet Mr Patten this evening.
Liberal Party chairman and legislator Allen Lee said that he hoped the two sides could accept the political reality that Legco would definitely amend any agreement that did not subscribe to the consensus on "single- seat, single-rote" electoral system. This view was shared by Meeting Point Legno member Fred Li. DAB legislator Tam Yiu-chung did not believe the system was a major obstacle to the talks. He felt that the Chinese side had not made any promise now because it had to consider the whole package of arrangements for the 1995 Legco elections.
Writing in HK Today, Legco member Christine Loh urged Lesco members to support a referendum to allow HK people to decide on their own their political future. She felt that the results of the referendum might not be binding but they could at least let those in power know the public vieks.
CPF
•
Dean that
The HK Economic Journal in an inside-nse Government
.. JA SAMMEN De Extů proposals for a compulsory retatcment protection scheme. It was understood the÷ --- prefer
Hwled
Kamment would only make Lasa commitments in extreme hacer that although the Genes
used out the setting up of a central Avent rund, it was still necessary fe: Exto to study proposals on a CPF as tho-thirds of Legco members were in favour of it.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
The HK Economic Times said that the Government would suggest to the Chinese side that the number of public holidays after 1997 would remain 17 as at present. However, the Queen's birthday and the first Monday after it would no longer he public holidays. Instead of these two days, the Chinese National Day on October 1 and the day after it would be public holidays. PAS for Constitutional Affairs D. Skinner said he did not rule out the possibility that the Chinese side might declare May 1 Labour Day as a public holiday.
HKMAO
Several papers on Sunday quoted a HKMAO official as denying a report in
the Contemporary magazine that HKMAO's deputy director Wang Qirent)
had never chaired any meeting to discuss measures to adopt if the Sino- British talks did break off.
210/900'd
21:01 2661-10N-22