TNAG-2736-FCO40-3944-Hong-Kong-role-of-the-Legislative-Council-(LEGCO)-1994 — Page 16

CONST AFFAIRS BRANCH

GIS PRESS ENQUIRIES

+ 852 840 1528

P.04/08

F.002/006

NEWSHOUR 13.00/DEC 16

-2-

PRESENTER: Mr. Sze, you will be aware of the reaction that there has

bean from Beijing. A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry has

said that there is now an end to recotiations. He's accused Britain

and the authorities in Honxa Kona of using trickery, There really is

very little prospect indeed of any further telks with them, is there?

1

MICHAEL SZE: I think the possibilities are slim, but if experience is

eny guide, one should not take these words as cast in concrete.

ESENTER: If China says that any reforms introduced now without its

novel are going to be avertirned, abolished, the moment that Chine

takes control in the colony, is there any point at all in going ahead

with them?

MICHAEL SZE: A choice is sareeing to an understanding with the Chinese

side on the electoral arrangements that will please the Chinese but

will not be acceptable to the people of Hong Kong, nor to the

Legislature. That will be thrown out and then that leaves us in a worse

position with the Chinese side, because we have agreed to something and

we failed to deliver. We must, as the Governor, has said mary meny

times, bring in arrangements that are fair and open and acceptable to

the people of Hong Kong.

The Chinese side have said over and over again that they will do their

very best, even on their own, to preserve the stability and prosperity

of Hong Kong. I wonder whether, if, as the first act of sovereignty,