TNAG-2707-FCO40-3913-Hong-Kong-political-parties-Cooperative-Resources-Centre-(CR-1993 — Page 6

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

CUNFIDENTIAL

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Mr. Allen Lee said that he hoped to see cooperation on both sides. The Governoz commented that it had been China who was lacking in cooperation, for example on the airport. he also said that he did not wish to respond to personal criticisms against him and he would keep calm and take decisions on Hong Kong.

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(g) Mr. Allen Lee commented that it now seemed

likely that both the Hong Kong Government and China would go their own ways separately to achieve transition. The Governor said that night appear to be the picture but he hoped that talks could still take place. It would be important that we could achieve the through-train for Hong Kong including who would be on the train. Mrs Selina Chow commented that what the Governor had said was similar to what the CRC had told Chinese leaders during their visit to Peking last July. Mr. Allen Lee that the through-train would be important and the CRC would try to do their part to help achieve this. However this would require the British and Chinese Governments to sit down and talk. The Governor said that it had always remained our position to be ready to talk with China, but the Chinese argument on membership of the negotiating team had been ridiculous. Edward Ho commented that the situation appeared to have been changed since last June when they had thought that there would be a through-train for Hong Kong. But it seemed now that the through-train would not be possible. The Governor replied that China might perhaps only allow Hong Kong to have the through-train and allow people to go through only if the constitutional package for Hong Kong was amended. Mrs Miriam Lau commented that it might be necessary to get the form of the

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through-train agreed first, and then we could discuss the substance. There was no need to mix the two issues. Mr. Edward Ho also said that we should put the through-train on the timetable. If people were on the train, then China should be asked not to throw them off. The Governor said that our bottom-line must be to have fair elections in 1994/95. Mrs Selina Chow said that if talks could not take place, China might make Hong Kong's life difficult and hurt Hong Kong's community. Civil servants were also feeling uncertain about their future. She strongly supported talks with China so as to achieve a smooth transition. The Governor said

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CONFIDENTIAL

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