TNAG-2448-FCO40-3564-Elections-in-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1992 — Page 52

28-OCT-1992 17:32

A.G.'S CHAMBERS

+852 877 2130

P.11

Annex D

Message from

Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs to

Secretary of State

for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (3 February 1990)

Thank

to me through

you for your message of 31 January conveyed Ambassador Alan Donald. I appreciate your

wish to reach an early understanding with me on the development of a political structure for Hong Kong.

2.

any

The British side has regrettably failed to make concession on the relevant specific proposals, at which I cannot but feel very much disappointed. The Chinese side has all along endeavoured with sincerity to reach a common understanding on this issue with the British side. Chinese leaders expounded China's fair and reasonable position both in a letter to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and during

OPECIAL envoy rexcy Cradock and Governor David Wilson. In the talks between my colleagues and the Hong Kong Governor and in my messages to you, we made for more than once major concessions. China's sincerity in this regard has not received due, positive response from the British side. circumstances, I see no need for sending your colleagues to Beijing for another round of consultations.

3.

However,

In such

As you know, the Drafting Committee of the Basic Law of the

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will meet soon and make a final decision. If the British side is unable to accept the proposals I put forward in my 28 January message to

you, the Basic Law Drafting Committee will have to make a decision within the framework of the original proposal. I believe that the Foreign Secretary is well aware of the fact that the drafting of the Basic Law is entirely China's internal affair.