(sofs's Lunch with Daniel 24 Foreign Minister: 22/3).
pa
HONG KONG
Disappointing that, despite
our intensive efforts over two
months, we failed to secure an acceptable basis for talks
with China on Hong Kong's
electoral issues.
-
The immediate cause was that
we could not accept Chinese
insistence that the role of
Hong Kong Government
representatives in the talks should be down-graded.
Chinese were also unwilling to
settle a date for talks.
-
The Governor therefore
published his draft
legislation on 12 March.
Introduction into LegCo a
separate step, to be decided
later.
Strong support in Hong Kong
from liberals. But
pro-business and pro-China
groups critical. Hong Kong public 2:1 in favour.
M7/3