TNAG-2781-FCO40-4000-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-Chinese-reac-1993 — Page 181

10.7.93

10.7.93

President Jiang Zemin at meeting with Douglas Hurd

Foreign Minister Qian Qichen at meeting with Douglas Hurd

10.7.93

Wang Qiren

10.7.93

10.7.93

10.7.93

Chinese sources in Peking quoted by HK Economic Journal

Jiang Zemin in an interview

with a Mexican

paper

Jiang Zemin in an interview

with Window magazine

CONFIDENTIAL

- 6-

So long as both sides will strictly abide. by the "three conformities", it will not be difficult to reach an agreement. The maintenance of HK's continued prosperity and stability will be in the interests of both China and Britain. If both sides are sincere, HK will have a smooth transition and transfer of power, a situation which will be of benefit to HK, China and Britain.

HK people's greatest concern is HK's stability and prosperity and a smooth transition so that HK can remain an important international economic, trading and financial centre. Our top mission now is to realise these objectives on the basis of the "three conformities". To achieve this, there is a need for both sides to restore trust and cooperation.

The meeting between Jiang Zemin and Douglas Hurd is a demonstration of China's sincerity on HK issues and the concern of top Chinese leaders for HK's prosperity and stability.

During his meeting with Qian Qichen, Douglas Hurd has demonstrated sincerity in Sino-British cooperation. As the British side is willing to abide by the "three conformities", the Chinese side will consider formulating objective criteria for the "through train".

It is hoped that the British Government will increase cooperation with the Chinese Government on the basis of the JD to ensure HK's smooth transition. China wants an early agreement from the talks but this is not entirely up to the Chinese to decide. No matter what happens, the Chinese side will observe the JD and the BL to realise HK's transition in 1997.

For China and Britain to resume cooperation on HK, the British side must return to the track of the "three conformities".

CONFIDENTIAL