TNAG-2709-FCO40-3915-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-and-Par-1993 — Page 104

Robert Adley Esq, MP

House of Commons SW1A OAA

HONG KONG

Thank you for your letter of 19 March. You are right to say

that it is no surprise to me that you are concerned about our

current differences with China over Hong Kong. I too am

concerned that, despite considerable efforts on our part, we

have been unable to persuade the Chinese to enter a dialogue.

It is certainly true that we have not sought deliberately to damage our relationship with China. But I cannot agree with the three "explanations" you propose;

the first two are

certainly not correct and, although I cannot speak for China,

I do not believe that your third choice accurately reflects

their position.

You should by now have received a copy of my letter of

24 March to colleagues, which explains the background to the

proposals which the Governor put to the Legislative Council

on 7 October. It also explains how the proposals fit with

the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, and makes clear that

the exchange of letters I had with the Chinese Foreign

Minister in 1990 did not result in an understanding between

us on the 1995 elections.

I

I note that you do not discount the intransigence of certain

people in Peking as a factor in our present differences. wonder if you give it sufficient weight. I know that the

Chinese maintain that our proposals are in breach of earlier

agreements, but I am disappointed that you share their view. It is an opinion which I believe is not supported by the facts. We have invited the Chinese to indicate where they

believe our proposals breach the Joint Declaration, or the