TNAG-2785-FCO40-4004-Hong-Kong-UK-Parliamentary-and-other-interest-in-constitutio-1993 — Page 56

18 March 1993

Lot 19/31

Copy

RI

H11812/5

Gen BSM fondled.

W

2. Mr. Marshall

я ва

Foreign &

Gommonwealth

Office

London SWIA 2AH

From The Secretary of State

了

Lear Low Shawaon

Zeur

It was good

Thank you for your letter of 23 February. of you to report your discussions with the Chinese

Ambassador.

We have tried hard in recent weeks to agree with the

Chinese a basis for talks on the 1994/95 elections in Hong

Kong. We delayed publication of the Governor's draft

legislation for five weeks while these contacts continued.

However, we told the Chinese that we could not delay

indefinitely. When, on 12 March, the Chinese had still not

agreed to a date for talks, the Governor and ExCo decided,

with our support, to publish the draft legislation.

Introduction of the draft legislation into LegCo for debate

would be a separate step. We will need to decide the

timing of that in the light of developments.

None of this changes the need for talks between

Britain and China. We remain ready to hold discussions on

the basis of the Joint Declaration, the Basic Law and the

relevant agreements and understandings between Britain and

China. The Governor's proposals are consistent with all

these.

I am prepared to have another meeting with my Chinese opposite number. However, I would want such a meeting to be productive, and I do not think that the timing is yet

right.

The Rt Hon Lord Shawcross GBE OC

HKD

WZ9