TNAG-2785-FCO40-4004-Hong-Kong-UK-Parliamentary-and-other-interest-in-constitutio-1993 — Page 38

NOTES OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN LORD PRIOR AND THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR: 22.3.93

The Ambassador made it clear that he had consulted Beijing and he came with a written statement which had authority from the Chinese Government. The points he made were as follows:

1. Lord Prior was welcome to come to China at any time.

2.

3.

4.

5.

As far as trade was concerned, the Chinese Government hoped it would not be affected by the current problems. But, this was not entirely up to China. It depended on how things developed as between Britain and China in respect of Hong Kong.

The breakdown of the consultations was not China's fault. The Chinese were willing to talk but would not trade their principles. The three most important principles were

* The convergence towards the basic law;

* The Joint Declaration

The relevance of the letters between the two Foreign Secretaries.

This was the basis on which discussions had to proceed.

There could be no ultimatum so far as China was concerned.

Hong Kong could not be allowed to interfere between the

All that remained to cooperation between the two countries. be settled was the status of the British team to advise the British Ambassador. The Hong Kong civil service could attend and participate but they may come as assistants and advisers, not as delegates.