TNAG-2771-FCO40-3988-Coverage-of-Sino-British-talks-in-the-Hong-Kong-press-1993 — Page 10

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OF 200904Z DECEMBER 93

INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG, UKREP JLG HONG KONG

HONG KONG: LOCAL PRESS COVERAGE, 20 DECEMBER

SUMMARY

1.

More reports of comments made in Hong Kong (by Zhang Junsheng) about the British side's "hypocrisy" in claiming that we had had no formal response to our proposal for dates for an 18th round; and that the termination of the talks would have a direct and serious effect on Sino-British economic and other cooperation. Charges that we have been creating artificial turmoil in Hong Kong for the past year. Claim by Zheng Guoxiong in Canton that we are trying to put economic pressure on China.

DETAIL

2. The People's Daily (20 December) reports remarks made by Deputy NCNA (HK) Director, Zhang Junsheng on 18 December about the British side's claim that the Chinese side had not made a formal response to the British side's request to continue the talks. He said that because of the British side's unilateral action of submitting the constitutional reform bill to LegCo which had terminated the talks, the question of an eighteenth round did not exist between Britain and China. The British side's unceasing claim that the Chinese side had not made a formal response was a hypocritical trick to avoid the responsibility of the sabotaging of the talks. The termination of the talks would have a direct and serious effect on Sino-British economic and other cooperation. But the Chinese nation, including Hong Kong compatriots, were completely determined and had the confidence to continue to uphold Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, and guarantee a smooth transition.

3.

Zhang said that everyone was quite clear that the responsibility for the problems which had arisen between China and Britain Lay with the British side. Currently the British side were still saying that they hoped the talks could continue, but they were closing the -front door and then inviting one in; carrying a

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