TNAG-2769-FCO40-3986-Hong-Kong-and-the-media-interviews--press-briefings-and-the--1994 — Page 130

HONG KONG: BULL POINTS

RELATIONS WITH CHINA OVER HONG KONG

- Good cooperation with China on the basis of the 1984

Sino-British Joint Declaration is in the best interests of Hong Kong. We and the Chinese Government remain committed to the

Joint Declaration. We want to see a smooth transition to

Chinese sovereignty in 1997.

It is in the interests of China, as well as the people of Hong Kong, that Hong Kong should remain successful and prosperous up to 1997 and beyond. We believe strong democratic institutions are a key part of safeguarding Hong Kong's way of

life

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as promised in the Joint Declaration.

- Rule of law, buttressed by a free-standing legislature, necessary to maintain business confidence in the longer term.

- The Governor's approach has the full support of the British

Government.

PEKING TALKS ON THE 1994/1995 ELECTIONS

- We have not broken off the talks. We have made it plain to the Chinese side that we remain ready to carry forward our discussions on the main issues. But as we have warned all along, we are now up against time constraints on the urgent issues relating both to the 1994 and 1995 elections.

- Our objectives remain, as always, election arrangements which are open, fair and acceptable to the people of Hong Kong. The test of acceptability is one which the Legislative Council will

bullpts.PR.JRB