TNAG-2771-FCO40-3988-Coverage-of-Sino-British-talks-in-the-Hong-Kong-press-1993 — Page 23

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system was the major stumbling block.

11.

The papers (23.11) gave prominent coverage to remarks made by HKMAO vice director Chen Ziying to a visiting delegation of HK and Kowloon kaifong associations. Chen said the Chinese side had made substantial concessions on the DB/municipal council elections. On the three issues concerned, the two sides had similar views on two of them and that a consensus on the remaining issue would not be difficult to reach if the two sides could continue to make efforts. However, Chen said it was at this critical point that the British side had made new demands and insisted on Linking an issue concerning the 1995 LegCo elections with the DB and municipal council elections. The British move had complicated the matter.

12. The Governor's Luncheon speech to the FCC was well covered (23.11). Most papers noted the Governor was disappointed that the Latest round of talks was unable to reach an agreement on the less controversial issues. The Governor reiterated if the talks did not yield a quick result the Government had to discharge its responsibility with the advice of the community as best as it could and table the reform bill in LegCo.

13.

A number of papers quoted (23.11) a TV report as saying in the 16th round the British side had proposed that the through train criteria should not have retrospective effect. However, the report quoted Chinese sources as saying to ride the through train the Legislators' past behaviour had to be examined. For example, some organisations were set up to overthrow the Chinese Government and had helped to arrange the escape of wanted persons in China after June 4. The source indicated the Chinese public security authorities had information on these matters and this would be taken into consideration during the confirmation process for Legislators.

14.

The Oriental Daily and Ming Pao noted (23.11) that the Wen Wei Po editorial criticised the British side for presenting the 'difficult' issues as 'easy' items and using the Governor's proposals as basis for the discussions.

15. Papers (24.11) reported the Secretary of State had summoned the Chinese Ambassador to London for an emergency session to impress upon the Chinese side the seriousness of the time constraints of the talks. A FCO spokesman said Mr Hurd told Ambassador Ma rapid movement was needed on the Chinese side if

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