with proposals
to build up the Legislature and strengthen accountability.
Separation of the membership of ExCo and LegCo leaves
-
Legislative Councillors free to represent their constituents
and hold Government to account.
What if Chinese do not agree electoral arrangements? End of
smooth transition?
-
- We will make every effort to reach agreement with Chinese
side. "Through train" for LegCo provided for in Basic Law would provide welcome continuity. But we have responsibility for Hong Kong until July 1997, and need to balance prospect of
continuity against meeting wishes of Hong Kong people for more
democracy. Only possible to strike that balance after full discussion with China: in practice, by early next year.
-
Very much in China's interest also to see smooth transition,
and continuing success for Hong Kong.
Airport
Do you share the Governor's impatience with the Chinese reaction
on airport financing?
- We would certainly like to have seen agreement by now. The
ball is in the Chinese court Everyone agrees that a new airport
is important for Hong Kong. We have done our very best to take account of Chinese problems with the financing arrangements, and have given them some new proposals based on their own ideas.
Mr Hurd discussed this briefly with the Foreign Minister. Look
forward to a constructive Chinese response through the Airport
Committee.
Are Chinese still linking airport to political issues?
-
They say not. Cannot see any reason why they should.
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