an early starting date for the talks and told the Chinese side of the composition of our negotiating team.
In the absence of a Chinese response, we and the Governor decided, again with the advice of the Executive Council, to delay gazettal for a second time on 19 February and for a third time on 26 February. We wished to give every possible opportunity for the Chinese side to respond. In our judgement, Hong Kong would expect us to go the extra mile in an effort to secure productive talks with the Chinese Government.
At the beginning of this week, we did receive a reply. But despite further diplomatic contacts, in which we have continued to press for early talks, we have not yet been able to announce a starting date for them. We have made plain that we are ready for the talks to proceed on the basis of the Joint Declaration, the principle of convergence with the Basic Law, and the relevant understandings and agreements reached between China and Britain. We consider the Governor's proposals are wholly compatible with these.
As far as we are concerned we are ready to talk immediately. Following further exchanges in Peking this week, there remain only a few points of disagreement which could and should be resoved quickly.
In the meantime, we judged it best to defer gazettal for a fourth time.
"
LiddingtonN04.3.LETT
NJH
BARONESS CHALKER OF WALLASEY
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