PRESS LINE: INTERVIEW WITH TVB: 2 OCTOBER
Meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister/ Constitutional Issues
1. Did you tell him content of Governor's speech?
We discussed a number of Hong Kong issues, including the productive meeting of the JLG last week, the Airport and the question of constitutional development.
2.
Did you give him all the details?
I briefed the Foreign Minister on the Governor's broad approach to constitutional development.
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3.
Kong?
Why should the Chinese know before the people of Hong
A good cooperative relationship between Britain and China based on a frank dialogue is very much in Hong Kong's interests. I think that is generally accepted in Hong Kong. In no-one's interest that China should be caught by surprise.
4.
Were you clearing the Governor's proposals with China?
No. The purpose was to give the Foreign Minister a broad indication of the Governor's thinking: not to seek his agreement.
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5.
Did they agree? How did they react?
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The Foreign Minister was mainly interested to listen. not want to get into a blow by blow account of the meeting.
Will you be consulting the Chinese formally?
6.
- We have always said that we will discuss with the Chinese side all aspects of the 1995 Legislative Council elections, in the interests of ensuring as much continuity as possible. Those discussions will start when the Governor visits Peking in late October.
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8.
Details of the Governor's speech? Martin Lee on ExCo?
Wait for the Governor's speech.
Will Governor call for more directly-elected seats?
I have said before that we would like to see a faster pace of democracy, but on a basis that is sustainable up to and beyond 1997. Wait for the Governor's speech for the detail.
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