TNAG-2769-FCO40-3986-Hong-Kong-and-the-media-interviews--press-briefings-and-the--1994 — Page 113

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PEA 1033 FROST", SUNDAY

SECRETARY OF STATE ON BBC "BREAKFAST WITH FROST"

5 DECEMBER

HONG KONG: BULL POINTS

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TALKS WITH CHINA ON HONG KONG 1994/95 ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS

Fully support the Governor's decision to start the legislative process made with the full agreement of Ministers.

Disappointing that after 160 hours of talks we have not been able to reach agreement, even on the straightforward issues in the interim package (lowering voting age to 18 and introducing single seat-single vote method for all Hong Kong elections; ending the practice of the Governor appointing members to the District Boards and Municipal Councils). None are controversial in Hong Kong or inconsistent with the Chinese Basic Law.

Our aim all along has been to reach an understanding with China on election arrangements that are open, fair and acceptable to Hong Kong people. We have made great efforts to achieve this.

We are now up against time constraints. As the Governor told the Legislative Council on 2 December, it is necessary to begin the legislative process on the more urgent issues before LegCo's Christmas recess if the electoral arrangements are to be in place in time. It is our duty under the Joint Declaration to ensure that they are.

Legislating on these less complicated issues now gives a little more time to resolve the remainder.

We have not broken off the talks. We have proposed dates for a further round in December to carry forward our discussions on the remaining issues (principally the Election Committee, the Functional Constituencies and the Through Train).

- We would prefer to be able to proceed on the basis of

agreement with China if possible, and continue to attach

importance to cooperation with China over Hong Kong on the basis of the Joint Declaration.