Annex
Message from
Secretary of State for foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to Chinese Minister of Poreign Affairs (31 January 1998)
Thank you for your message of 13 January
studied
as
Carefully.
J
I entirely share your view that
Ey and
erences between Our two sides can be tesolved so
2 approach them
in a spirit SE -utuai commodatio with the aim of maintaining the stabil: prosperity Là Hong Kong. It is my sincere wish to reach an understanding with You оп the most appropriate litical structure for Hong Kong before and after 1997. I grateful For the efforts you have made to meet our
+
oncerns.
こ。
: have given the matter intense thought since caceiv ny Your reply. I have also examined carefully the reports which I have received on the reactions in Hong Kong the proposals which emerged from the recent meeting of the Political Structure Special Group of the Basic Law Orafting Committee in Guangzhou.
to
3.
It is clear to me, as it will be to the Chinese side, that the outcome of the Basic Law Drafting Committee Special Group meeting caused real disappointment in Hong
Kong.
4.
ΕΞΟΠ
provisions
There has been
particularly adverse reaction
moderate groups in the Territory who have been working hard to find an acceptable consensus. We therefore face the prospect that unless significant changes are made, the on the political structure in the Basic Law will not bo welcomed by responsible opinion in Hong Kong. This situation would pose serious political problems for both our Governments. The Basic Law will have a major impact on how Hony Kong people view their future. The political provisions will be of key importance in this The effect on investor confidence, locally and these provisions were to be widely criticised
structure
regard.
overseas, if
would be serious.
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