TNAG-2732-FCO40-3938-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1993 — Page 18

CONFIDENTIAL

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CONFIDENTIAL UK COMMS ONLY

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RECEIVED IN BECHETRY

13 MAY 1993

P.r. Conser

(Ben)

037607

MDHOAN 2571

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114

DESK OFFICER

REGISTRY

FM FCO

INDEX

PA

Action Takan

TO IMMEDIATE GUIDANCE

TELNO 9

OF 071511Z MAY 93

AND TO IMMEDIATE WASHINGTON, EC POSTS, TOKYO, OTTAWA AND TO IMMEDIATE CANBERRA, WELLINGTON, NEW DELHI

AND TO IMMEDIATE ISLAMABAD, MANILA, SINGAPORE

AND TO IMMEDIATE KUALA LUMPUR, BANGKOK, SEOUL, JAKARTA AND TO IMMEDIATE BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, MOSCOW

AND TO IMMEDIATE UKMIS NEW YORK, HOLY SEE, GILBRALTAR

AND TO IMMEDIATE UKDEL STRASBOURG, CAIRO

INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG, BTC HONG KONG, PEKING

INFO IMMEDIATE UKREP JLG HONG KONG

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN

CLOSED UNDER

FOI EXEMPTION NO. ....AZON.

HONG KONG: TALKS WITH CHINA ABOUT ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS

INTRODUCTION

A

Guidance telno 7 covered our agreement with China to hold talks on Hong Kong's electoral arrangements. The first two rounds of talks were held in Peking on 22-24 and 28-29 April. third round will be held in Peking on 21-23 May. We have agreed with the Chinese side that the substance of the talks should remain confidential. We would not therefore want you to initiate discussion with your host government, but if questioned you may draw on paras 2-3 below. (Unclassified.)

LINE TO TAKE

2. (i) We have long believed that the right way to resolve our differences with China over political development in Hong Kong is through talks. We therefore welcome the fact that talks are now underway.

(11) Our aim is to reach an understanding with China on electoral arrangements for Hong Kong that are open, fair and acceptable to the people of Hong Kong.

(iii) If we manage to reach such an understanding the British and Hong Kong Governments will recommend it to the Legislative Council. It will be for them to pass the necessary Legislation.

(iv) We have agreed with China that the contents of the talks are to be kept confidential: this is only sensible if we are to make progress in resolving sensitive issues.