TNAG-2708-FCO40-3914-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-and-Par-1993 — Page 43

Publication of the legislation should not make it more

difficult to begin talks with China. The Bill sets out the

Governor's proposals, which have been public since October, in

legislative form. This does not affect the basis for talks

with China, the need for such talks or our wish to hold them.

We have said that if we reached an understanding with the

Chinese side we would recommend this to the Legislative

Council.

We remain ready for talks at any time and I hope that the

Chinese side will be prepared to settle quickly on

arrangements for them. Britain has responsibility for the

administration of Hong Kong until 1997. Part of that

responsibility is to maintain the steady progress towards

democracy in Hong Kong. We are open to discussions about how

to achieve that. But the key point is that the electoral

arrangements in Hong Kong should be fair, open and acceptable

to the people of Hong Kong.

The Chinese side also have responsibilities and interests as

the future sovereign power. Britain and China have every

incentive to work together to ensure the future success of

Hong Kong. We will continue to pursue the path of cooperation

with China: we look to the Chinese side to do the same.

sosstatement15.3