TNAG-2710-FCO40-3916-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-and-Par-1993 — Page 145

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PRIME MINISTER'S QUESTION TIME: 6 MAY

HONG KONG

Welcome start of talks with China on Hong Kong electoral issues. Hope we can get down discussing details at third round due 21-23 May.

Our aim is to reach an understanding with China on arrangements to ensure that the 1995 elections will be fair,

open and acceptable to Hong Kong people.

- If we do reach an

understanding, the British and Hong Kong Governments will recommend this to the

Legislative Council in Hong Kong. It will be for them to pass the necessary legislation.

(Defensive: Will talks delay legislation?)

Governor and his Executive Council will take decisions on putting the legislation to LegCo in the light of progress in the talks.

We need to make good progress, so that legislation will be in place in time for the District Board elections in 1994.

GOVERNOR IN WASHINGTON

Governor had useful talks with President Clinton. US is a key economic partner of Hong Kong and naturally takes a close interest in developments there.

Mr Patten also emphasised the importance for Hong Kong of renewal of China's Most Favoured Nation status.

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REGISTRY Action Takun

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