TNAG-2715-FCO40-3921-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1993 — Page 129

Updaty

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4.

Mr Goodlad reported to the Committee on 9 July on the

Foreign Secretary's meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister in

Peking on 8-9 July. The Foreign Secretary met the Chinese

Foreign Minister again on 1 October, in the margins of the

United Nations General Assembly in New York. The Foreign

working for success in the talks. He agreed Secretary emphasised that we are serious in wanting to work for with the Chinese freis- Minister Had effects should be continued during October to read agreement. Ye Hot an agreement but that there is a point beyond "which we cannot go

etections are to be fack epe and alphable

if our essential requirements are to be met. It was agreed that.

the talks would continue during October The next Round is on

11-12 October. But the Foreign Secretary made plain that there

are now weeks rather than months for an agreement to be

reached. The do no

5.

ir a

have infinite time to reach agreement, pashto terpand which are cannot go if elections are to be open,

and Had Here

four and acceptable.

On 6 October the Governor will be making his annual policy

address to the Legislative Council. We will circulate copies of his speech to members of the Committee.

JOINT LIAISON GROUP

He added Hal if agreement

Cannot be reached, Mer Majesty's Government woved have to take Heir responsibilities.

6. A meeting of the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group was held in Peking in September. Here too, progress was much slower than we would have wished. The Joint Liaison Group has an important

agenda of work, much of it legal and technical, aimed at

ensuring a smooth transition in 1997. If this agenda is not

completed, there could be uncertainty and confusion in important

areas such as Hong Kong's legal and commercial relationship with the outside world. The British side have put forward proposals

in all these areas for discussion. We would like to see much

faster progress.

AIRPORT AND RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

A-B

7. The Airport Committee held meetings in June and August.

Agreement was reached on some important elements of the airport project, including the franchise for the Western Harbour

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