TNAG-2762-FCO40-3979-Hong-Kong-Chinese-discrimination-against-UK-companies-Jardi-1993 — Page 42

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DIT ESTRZA de MDHIAN 7228

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INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG, UKREP JLG HONG KONG

HONG KONG: MFA SPOKESMAN'S STATEMENT, 16 DECEMBER

SUMMARY

1.

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"Pine

Camer1

HUB 180/2

19 DEC 1993

Spokesman's statement in similar terms to that in the People's Daily this morning. Adds that the introduction of legislation marks the end of the talks. Warns that China can not accept any decision made by LegCo on arrangements for the 1994/95 elections and says that no institution produced by this means can carry on

after 1997.

DETAIL

}

2. Wu Jianmin made a statement on Hong Kong at the beginning of this afternoon's MFA Press Conference. This statement was almost identical with that published in the People's Daily this morning Cour telno 1604). An Information Department official told us that the text in the People's Daily had been shortened by the paper but he could not give a reason why. The statement was as follows:

- On 15 December, in the absence of an agreement between Britain and China, the Hong Kong British authorities made the blatant move of bringing the partial bill before LegCo for discussion. During Round 17 of the Talks, the British side announced that they were unilaterally discontinuing the Talks. Now in total disregard of China's opposition and repeated warnings, the British side had gone ahead with their "Legislative moves". This marks the end of the negotiations. The British side bear all responsibility for this.

- The Chinese side reiterate that in the absence of an agreement between Britain and China, China will not accept any decision by LegCo on the arrangements for the 1994/95 elections and no institution so produced can carry on after 1997.

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From the outset of the Talks, the Chinese side have been soberly aware of two possibilities: agreement, or no agreement. China has hoped for agreement and has made the utmost efforts to achieve

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