TNAG-2746-FCO40-3961-Visits-by-Chris-Patten--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-the-UK-1993 — Page 104

CONFIDENTIAL

Secretary of State's meeting on 16 April would come too late

to determine action on alternative approaches to re-engaging

the Chinese. It was agreed that we should make a further

effort to ensure that the Chinese recognised that we had made another attempt to re-enter talks and that the ball was in

their court. The Governor would make clear in his Chatham

House speech that we were ready for talks between the sovereign powers (as a further encouraging signal to China)

and that Sir J Coles would telephone Ambassador Ma to reinforce Mr Goodlad's recent initiative and encourage a

Chinese response.

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CONFIDENTIAL