TNAG-2781-FCO40-4000-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-Chinese-reac-1993 — Page 190

CONFIDENTIAL

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15.7.93

Chinese sources quoted by the HK Economic Journal

The British side will at the eighth round of talks ask the Chinese side to come up with objective criteria for the through train. The Chinese side can only suggest that the NPC Standing Committee formulate the criteria. Since the through train is a matter touching on China's sovereign rights, criteria should not be too detailed or be included in the agreement reached by the two sides at the talks. It will be up to the NPC Standing Committee to decided whether these criteria can be announced before the 1995 elections.

16.7.93

Zhou Nan

16.7.93

Zhang Junsheng

16.7.93

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16.7.93

The criteria for the through train will have to be examined by the SARPC in accordance with the NPC resolution.

The SARPC to be set up in 1996 will confirm whether there will be a through train and which legislator can board it. Whether to set down concrete requirements governing the through train is entirely a matter up to the SARPC.

Wang Shuwen, mainland member

of the

preparatory working

There is a need to provide clear guidelines to the stipulation in the BL related to the upholding of the mini-constitution.

committee

Xiao Weiyun,

mainland member

of the

preparatory working committee

Lee Yee-ming in Ta Kung Pao

Pledging allegiance to the SAR is only a formality in assuming office. To realise the handing over of sovereignty,

legislators must be confirmed by the SARPC. Under the principle of sovereignty, it is a must even though this may be taken as some sort of political vetting.

Mr Patten takes legislators' subjective choice of whether to pledge allegiance to the SAR as the objective criteria for the through train. He has evaded the need for legislators to be confirmed by the SARPC because of HK's reversion to China.

CONFIDENTIAL