TNAG-1722-FCO40-2415-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1988 — Page 227

are certainly not leaving it all to Chinese good

intentions. We have already been engaged om a

confidential dialogue with the Chinese which we beleive

has influenced the drafting process, and our aim will be

to ensure that the revised draft takes account of the

concerns expressed in Hong Kong, some of which you refer

to in your letter. You will, however, have seen from

Hansard that it is recognised on both sides of the House

that the drafting of the Basic Law is the sovereign right

of China. That means We have to take account of Chinese

sensitivities. To conduct a dialogue with the Chinese

authorities by public proclamation would be counter

productive. I remain convinced that the sort of firm

pressure we have been exerting behind the scenes is most

likely to yield positive results.

Incidentally, Tim Eggar's wind up speech in the debate

made it pretty clear that the kind of points we are

putting to the Chinese (especially in Cols 751-2 of the

Official Report) include precisely the concerns you

mention in your letter. We have already formally given a

copy of the report to the Chinese authorities. They have

welcomed the constructive views put forward and

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undertaken to take them into account.