From Sir Joseph Hotung
108383
5 November 1993
3310 EDINBURGH TOWER,
15 QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL,
HONG KONG
HKD
Au Rickett
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The Rt. Hon. Douglas Hurd, MP, 15/10
The Secretary of State,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street,
London SW1A 2AH.
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Telephone: 852-522-9929′′
852-523-3828
Facsimile: 852-845-0283
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Judy has written to say you would like me to feed in my Hong Kong thoughts from time to time. I am, therefore, emboldened to suggest that in view of the apparent lack of progress in the on- going Sino-British talks on Hong Kong’s 1994/95 electoral arrangements and "through train" I think the time has come table in the Legislative Council the Governor's original proposals on political reform so that they can be fully and openly debated.
As I understand it, although there have been fifteen rounds of talks since April, there has been very little substantive progress. The issues I believe are not complex. If there were genuine sincerity on both sides the issues could be very quickly resolved. I do not see any benefit for Hong Kong in letting the talks go on in the hope that the Chinese side will eventually come around and be reasonable. I am most concerned that they will dole out minor concessions now and then just to keep the talks going. This will only lead to further delay in tackling fundamental issues which must be addressed now.
I do not believe that China will "undo" any political reforms after Britain leaves in 1997 if such actions would hurt Hong Kong. Her own interests here are too large. By making constant threats to do so the Chinese are confirming that they will not undo what is in place and working well. Otherwise she would not need to keep saying so.
Time however is on the Chinese side. The longer we wait to bring this matter home the less time the people of Hong Kong will have to debate the constitutional proposals and express their views. By tabling the Governor's 1992 proposals in the Legislative Council the people of Hong Kong will be forced to focus on issues now which will materially affect their future. In effect, it will oblige them to discuss and debate what the concept of "one country two systems" really means. Otherwise, others will decide their destiny for them.
With kind personal regards.
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