TNAG-2771-FCO40-3988-Coverage-of-Sino-British-talks-in-the-Hong-Kong-press-1993 — Page 57

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in an interview with CNS, Qian said Sino-British co-operation would be conducive to HK's smooth transition and the transfer of

administration.

However if the British side implemented their own package, then Sino-British co-operation for a smooth transition would not be possible.

Ming Pao (4.10) carried an interview with Mr. Hurd in New York after the ministerial meeting. He was quoted as saying in order to have an agreement, there had to be bigger movements from the Chinese side. Mr. Hurd also called on the Chinese side not to Link the political issue with other HK matters, such as the airport financial arrangements. He reiterated that no deadline had been set, but time was running out.

5. The papers (4.10) quoted Sir Robin McLaren as saying the British side were disappointed that the ministerial meeting had achieved no progress.

He said the British side would still be

patient and adopt a constructive attitude towards the talks. Sir Robin reiterated the important issues in the talks were the through train, the functional constituencies and the Election Committee.

Governor's Policy Address

6.

The papers noted (6.10) that CNA issued a bylined commentary a day before the policy address saying the Governor would not submit the legislation in LegCo, otherwise it would mean that the British side had unilaterally closed the door to negotiations. The article said the British side's emphasis on the "through train" was putting the cart before the horse because the track for the train had to be laid on the foundation of the "three conformities".

7.

The papers (7.10) accorded blanked coverage to the Governor's policy address. The section on constitutional development was the focal point of attention. Many noted the Governor said there were only weeks rather than months to conclude the constitutional talks. He said the proposals put forward were not intended to accelerate the pace of democratisation set out in the BL but designed to ensure future electoral arrangements were fair, open and acceptable to the community and at the same time, consistent with the JD and BL and any other agreements. It was also noted the Governor indicated the British side had already made substantial concession to try to reach an accord with China, referring to a revised constitutional package which based the arrangements for functional constituencies on organisations with a total eligible electorate of

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