TNAG-2771-FCO40-3988-Coverage-of-Sino-British-talks-in-the-Hong-Kong-press-1993 — Page 69

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the British side had been 'going round in circles'. Lu was also quoted as saying although there had been only very little progress achieved in the past five months of talks, it was not true to say no headway had been made.

5.

Many papers quoted NCNA HK Branch deputy director Zheng Guoxiong as denying (11.9) the talks were on the verge of breaking down. Zheng said the talks were proceeding normally with the two sides presenting each other's proposals and views. The papers quoted a CNS dispatch reporting Chinese Premier Li Peng as telling a Mexican newspaper that China was confident and capable of exercising its sovereignty over HK as scheduled to realise Deng Xiaoping's 'one country, two systems' policy.

6. The papers quoted the Governor as saying (16.9) the British side were working hard for success in the talks. If an agreement was not reached the HKG had no option but to go to LegCo and put forward the proposals. The Governor said he did not think what the British side were proposing represented a threat to China. He doubted whether China would overturn HKG's unilateral arrangements after 1997 and suggested if China chose to do so it would have to explain to the HK people.

7. The papers quoted HKMAO Vice Director Chen Ziying (16.9) as saying the Chinese side were working positively towards speeding up the talks and reaching an agreement. HK Branch Vice Director Zhang Junsheng was reported as saying (18.9) the Governor should not make a miscalculated move. Zhang noted the Governor had already stated he would table his political package to LegCo if no agreement was reached but he warned the Governor would be held responsible if he was determined to destroy Sino-British co-operation.

8.

Sir Robin dismissed (20.9) as pure speculation reports that the British side would table the reform bill in LegCo if there was no breakthrough in the 12th round.

9.

The papers (20.9) reported a CNS dispatch from Peking quoted a spokesman of the Chinese State Council's HKMAO as saying the slow progress.of the talks was caused by the British side's insistence on the Governor's 'three violations' package and therefore they should be held responsible should there be a breakdown in the talks. He also said the Chinese side not only hoped to see a smooth transition in the political arrangements, they also hoped to see a smooth transition in economic matters. If the British side

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