DEC' 10
93 16:48
FROM
RECE
MUCD 021/5
20 DEC 1993
TO LONDON
PHGE.002, 004
471
INUL,
HONG KONG. SINO-BRITISH NEGOTIATIONS
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
1. WHAT IS AUSTRALIA'S POSITION ON SINO-BRITISH NEGOTIATIONS ON HONG KONG?
CHO37150/
2. WHAT IS AUSTRALIA'S ATTITUDE TO PROPOSALS FOR DEMOCRATIC REFORM IN HONG KONG?
TALKING POINTS
1.
MRB-J
THE GOVERNMENT IS DISAPPOINTED THAT DISCUSSIONS SINCE APRIL 1993 BETWEEN THE UK AND CHINA HAVE NOT RESULTED IN AGREEMENT ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994 AND 1995 ELECTIONS IN HONG KONG
I NOTE THAT GOVERNOR PATTEN HAS ANNOUNCED THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION TO TABLE LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG'S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 15 DECEMBER, TO ENABLE PLANNING TO START ON 1994 AND 1995 ELECTION PROCESSES.
CHINA HAS STATED THAT THE GOVERNOR'S ACTION WILL MEAN THE BREAKDOWN OF TALKS.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO CALLED ON CHINA TO CONTINUE TALKS TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES ON POLITICAL REFORM.
AUSTRALIA HAS A BROAD AND IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP WITH HONG KONG - INCLUDING STRONG AND MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL COMMERCIAL RELATIONS - WHICH WE WISH