TNAG-2723-FCO40-3929-UK-opposition-parties-and-Hong-Kong-1993 — Page 13

b.pts.PET.JRB

BULL POINTS ON HONG KONG

We are working for success in the talks with China.

Although they are taken up with arcane points of electoral practice, there are important issues at stake.

We are seeking two things: fair and open elections, and acceptable criteria for deciding which members of LegCo elected in 1995 meet the requirements of the Basic Law for

serving on beyond 1997.

Agreement with China would be a prize worth having:

continuity for a credible LegCo would be good for confidence

and good for ensuring that the 'One Country-Two Systems' concept is implemented in practice, protecting the rule of

law and Hong Kong's way of life.

We have made major moves in an effort to meet Chinese

concerns and bridge the gap. Their response has been disappointing. Not clear that they are prepared to accept credible elections. There is a point beyond which we cannot go if elections are to be fair and open.

Talks cannot go on indefinitely

-

weeks rather than months.

If we cannot get agreement, we will take our

responsibilities and put draft legislation to LegCo for them

to pass the necessary laws. But Governor's address to LegCo

(6 Oct) will not be the occasion to end talks: we have

already announced another Round on 11-12 October.

Failure to agree in the talks would not change the need for

cooperation between Britain and China over Hong Kong. There would still be many areas where it would be important to work together for a smooth transition.