646 Buntar
147340
MDHOAN 5605
RESTRICTED
FM FCO
RESTRICTED
Hike 012/1
нис
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 1713
OF 091714Z DECEMBER 92
AND TO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
TOP COPY Q DIST?
مهم
Hong Kong: Written PQ
1. We have two more written PQs from Sir T Arnold, for answer on 14 December, asking :
i) "When he first informed the Chinese Government of his wish to see an increase in the number of seats in the Legislative Council - of Hong Kong beyond that envisaged in the Basic Law".
ii) "when he was first informed by the Chinese Government of its view that the Basic Law cannot be changed and what was his response".
2. We intend to recommend the following replies:
i) The point was made repeatedly to the Chinese Government during the drafting of the Basic Law as the exchanges with the Chinese during 1990 (recently made public) show. The Secretary of State told the House on 16 February 1990 that we would continue to press the case for a faster pace of democracy".
ii) The Chinese Government announced in June of this year that in its view the Basic Law cannot be changed before 1997. We accept that the drafting of the Basic Law is a matter for the Chinese Government. We would still wish to see more directly elected seats in the Legislative Council of the SAR. The Basic Law contains provisions for its amendment after it has come into force on 1 July 1997.
3. We should be grateful for any comments you or copy addresses may have on these draft replies deskby 110900z. We would be particularly grateful for confirmation that in answer ii) the Chinese have not made this point before June of this year.
HURD
YYYY
1
PAGE RESTRICTED
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.