CONFIDENTIAL
Chinese Comments on Issues Related to the Sino-British Talks
(July 31 August 12, 1993)
Introduction
Chinese comments during the period under review have mainly concentrated on attacks on the HK Government's new policy that allows expatriate civil servants to switch to local terms. Some commentaries have linked the issue with the Patten package and the talks on electoral
arrangements.
HKMAO and NCNA HK Branch officials have repeatedly said that
the HK Government must consult the Chinese side on any major policy change but that it has not done so in this case. They have added that the Chinese side consider that there should not be any drastic policy change during the transition period and that they would study the repercussions of the new policy. The left-wing papers have carried a barrage of commentaries and editorials criticising the policy for damaging the localisation process and violating the BL and the JD. They consider that both the Patten package and the new policy are attempts by the British-HK authorities to extend British administrative power here
beyond 1997 and are not conducive to a smooth transition.
Chinese comments on the constitutional package have been limited during the period. Officials have on several occasions reiterated that sincerity, manifested by adherence to the "three conformities", is important for the talks to speed up and yield fruit. Several commentaries pick on the Governor for playing tricks in order to keep his "three violations" package alive.
On the talks themselves, Chinese officials have maintained that it is unnecessary to set a deadline and hoped that the Governor will not make any improper move in this respect. A Wen Wei Po editorial is sceptical of the British side's motive in insisting on taking a summer vacation while stressing that time is running out.
As the Chinese side has shifted its attention to the HK
Government's new civil service policy, Chinese comments on the role of Legco, the through train and Britain's "unreasonable demands" have been
much reduced.
CONFIDENTIAL
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