TNAG-2732-FCO40-3938-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1993 — Page 45

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HONG KONG: DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE ON ELECTORAL

ARRANGEMENTS:

STEERING BRIEF

Introduction

1. These talks follow from our offer to discuss the

arrangements for the 1994 elections in Hong Kong with the Chinese side without preconditions. The offer was repeated most recently in the Foreign Secretary's message of 6 February to the Chinese Foreign Minister, Qian Qichen.

reply in effect accepted our proposal.

Objectives

2.

The discussions are likely to take place in several

phases. Our general objectives are:

Qian's

(i) To secure Chinese agreement to arrangements for the

1994 and 1995 elections which can then be put to the

Legislative Council (LegCo) in the form of draft

legislation.

(ii) If (i) proves impossible, to minimise the risk that the Chinese will actively oppose passage of electoral legislation or frustrate the holding of

elections in 1994/95.

(iii) To ensure that any amendments agreed to the

proposals set out in the Governor's speech of 7 October

1992 in pursuit of (i) or (ii) result in electoral

arrangements which are also open, fair and acceptable to

the people of Hong Kong: and stand a good chance of being adopted by LegCo.

(iv) That the talks should be concluded, whether or not

agreement with the Chinese can be reached, in time for

legislation to be introduced and enacted by the

steeringbrief 15.2

NH

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