16 JAN: '90 11:20
FROM COI TECHNICAL RADIO
TO FCO NEWS
PAGE.006/007
TRANSCRIPT A PORRIGN SEC
JAN
+
PC
K
HONG KONG
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16 JAN 90
(QUESTIONS AND ANSVERS)
QUESTION (Andrew McFwea, The Times):
Mr Hurd, the South China Morning Post this morning quoted
one of the officials whom Sir David Wilson saw on his visit to
China saying that China had made some concessions but that Britain
had asked for more and that the two sides needed to come closer
together. Have there been concessions, was there a shift, and is
TUTTYIVE
CYDDTANV.
ti mi c
It is too early to speak of optimisa. There is a
discussion, and obviously these were matters raised by the Governor
and indeed by Sir Percy Craddock when they recently visited Peking.
I bave answered questions about our stance on this copiously
enough during this visit and of course an prepared to do so again.
You must ask the Chinese authorities questions about their stance.
Our stance is that it is right that Hong Kong should next year
start substantially on the upward path towards democracy with the
direct election of Legislative Councillors,
Our stance is that that start should occur at a higher
level, considerably higher level, than was planned two years ago in
our White Paper of January 1988. Our stance is that the best way
would be to ensure for those running for political office, for
political seats, and for those who would elect them to ensure that
this process would continue and not only continue but progress,
develop upwards, during the years which follow.
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