TNAG-2708-FCO40-3914-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-and-Par-1993 — Page 23

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British undermined talks while in progress?

No reason why publication or even consideration of the

draft legislation by the Legislative Council - should be a barrier to talks with China. The legislative process will take months, and we have said we will recommend to LegCo

any understandings we reach with China.

Chinese not consulted; should have been; China not given face

I gave advance briefing to Chinese Foreign Minister in New York on 25 September) Governor also sent a message to Lu

Ping going over the same ground. We made it clear we wanted

to discuss his proposals fully with the Chinese side and that they were proposals, not firm decisions.

We have been pressing Chinese side to begin talks. Have

said that we would recommend any agreement we reached to the

Legislative Council.

Understanding reached in the exchange of messages between

Foreign Secretary and Chinese Foreign Minister in early 1990?

No.

Documents make it clear that there was no secret deal.

We were prepared to agree in principle to the composition of

the Election Committee, subject to a number of conditions.

The Chinese failed to meet the conditions of the offer. The

fact that they have since treated the composition of the

1995 Election Committee as a matter still to be decided

shows that they did not consider it as settled.

When will you next discuss Hong Kong with the Chinese Foreign

Minister?

We have agreed with the Chinese Government that Foreign Ministers should meet twice a year to discuss Hong Kong. We

last met in September in New York. No arrangements yet made for our next meeting. I would want to see some prospect of progress being made before setting up a meeting.

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