TNAG-2786-FCO40-4005-Hong-Kong-UK-Parliamentary-and-other-interest-in-constitutio-1993 — Page 8

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Garnett

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Mr Magris

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RECEIVED IN CISTRY

04 JAN 1994

Colum DESK UFFICER

INDEX

20 December 199.

PA

REGISTRY Action Take

Private Secretary

PS/Mr Goodlad

Mr Ricketts, HKD Mr M Dinham,

Government House,

HONG KONG

Mr P A McLean, PEKING

Mr Fry, FED

LORD HOWE : MEETING WITH CHINESE AMBASSADOR

1. Lord Howe telephoned me this afternoon. He wanted to report on a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador on Hong Kong, and on a letter he had received from Peking about his report on human rights in China.

Hong Kong

2. Lord Howe said that Ambassador Ma had asked to call on him to explain the Chinese Government's view on Hong Kong. Ma had said that discussions between Britain and China on Hong Kong had reached an end. The British side had violated the Joint Declaration: instead of an intensification of cooperation over Hong Kong the British side was responsible for a termination of cooperation. China would now have to take its own steps. There was no question of a through train. LegCo had no standing to determine the constitutional arrangements for Hong Kong.

3. Lord Howe said that in reply he had emphasised the need to find a way of resuming discussion between Britain and China. Although proposals had now been put to LegCo they would not necessarily be adopted. It was possible that LegCo could drop certain elements, thereby creating a basis for a return to negotiations.

4.

Lord Howe commented that Ambassador Ma had said he believed the 1990 exchange of correspondence had been overlooked when the Governors proposals had been prepared in 1992. He was surprised that Ma had made this assertion: I explained that there had been a report in the Financial Times on 17 December which had referred to this point. Lord Howe concluded by saying he believed strongly that HMG had erred in pushing too hard for increased democracy in Hong Kong. We should consider very seriously how we could get back to seeking common ground with China. This would inevitably mean some concessions on our part.

CONFIDENTIAL

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