TNAG-2709-FCO40-3915-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-and-Par-1993 — Page 123

PRIME MINISTER'S QUESTION TIME:

23 MARCH

HONG KONG

Cannot accept that publication of draft legislation makes it more difficult to begin talks, or closes any doors.

As the Foreign Secretary said in the House on 15 March, we want talks with China. We have done everything possible to get talks underway.

Proper Hong Kong participation in the British team is an important point of principle for us. Hong Kong officials have been members of the British team for the past ten years in our discussions with China.

(Defensive: threats to British commercial interests in China)

Trade relations with China are good. We want to maintain these. Would very much regret it if our disagreement over Hong Kong were to spill over into our broader bilateral relationship.

(Defensive: "Separate Kitchen" ie Chinese threats to make separate arrangements for post-1997 Hong Kong)

- Chinese leaders say they will abide by the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. This is the main point.

- Under the Joint Declaration Britain is responsible for administering Hong Kong up to July 1997.

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