only, the logic of the views already expressed in the Legislative Council is that the Council would extend the measure to apply to the elections to their own body. That would lead straight back to
further difficulties with the Chinese Government.
We would not have saved time: we would have wasted
it.
Despite our best efforts, it has not been possible to reach agreement on this issue. The question of abolishing
re
appointed members also remains unsolved. Time has now run out for pursuing these points.
It is necessary to introduce legislation on them into the Legislative Council before their Christmas recess. That
will allow work to begin straight away in a Bills Committee. The Governor has therefore announced that he will publish draft legislation on 10 December for introduction on 15
December.
These proposals are uncontroversial in Hong Kong. We had thought that they were uncontroversial with China. number of them it was possible to reach a common view in the
talks. In those cases, the legislation will reflect that.
On a
We have emphasised to the Chinese side that we are not
breaking off the talks. We have proposed a further Round in
December to pursue agreement on the remaining issues. are prepared to work seriously and constructively to that
end. We strongly hope that the talks will continue.
We
Britain and China are engaged in the unique enterprise of preserving Hong Kong's way of life and success while transferring sovereignty. That enterprise requires
oralstatement25.11/BRIEFS/NJH
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