TNAG-1398-FCO40-1870-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1985 — Page 105

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Wu and Ji prevent a 'beautiful misunderstanding'

Xu Jiatun, who takes the front line in dealing with the

British, speaks eloquently and with reserve, leaving much room for

discussion. But those at the rear, the Politburo member and Foreign

Minister, speak in more definite and firmer tones. In an interview

with ATV in early October, Wu Xueqian pointed out that "the indirect

elections of Hong Kong's Legislative Council were put up by the

British Government themselves" and he had "nothing to comment on this

question". However, he said, "I must tell you, my friends, that

according to the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong, the

political system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in

1997 will be laid down in the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special

Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. This is

the clearest explanation that the Chinese side has given for "pot

undertaking any obligation towards representative government". At

a time when some people on the British side are trying to introduce

major changes to the political system, it is more to Hong Kong's

advantage that the Chinese side makes its position known at an early

stage and not later. In doing so, the Chinese side can curb the

further development of the trend to effect major changes in the

political system without having to consult China' and thus prevent

the representative government from going one way and the Basic Law,

another. This will bring Hong Kong's political system in line with

the Basic Law and prevent another drastic change from taking place

in 1997. A few months ago, a local columnist had already pointed

out that China's irresolute attitude and failure to profess a clear

position would only build up Britain's illusions and give rise to a

'beautiful misunderstanding', thus fouling up the whole issue.

Bejing, it appears, had accepted the suggestion of certain

members of the media in Hong Kong.

When receiving Donald Liao and other Hong Kong Government

officials on 18 October, the Director of the State Council's Hong Kong

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