TNAG-2788-FCO40-4027-Chinese-policy-on-Hong-Kong-an-overview-1993 — Page 52

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Appendix III

Chinese Comments on Constitutional Package as Starting Position of Talks

Date

Official/Sources /Commentators

Comments

9.5.93

Lau Hiu-keng in Wen Wei Po

11.5.93

12.5.93

13.5.93

NCNA HK Branch Secretary- General Yuan

Pengyan at a reception

HKMAO Vice- director Wang Qiren at a meeting with a business delegation from

HK

CCP sources in Peking quoted by the United Daily News

Mr Patten has done nothing in the US but to advocate his "three violations" package. The short-term goal of his actions is to solicit international backing for his political package and this will be detrimental to the Sino-British talks. His long-term objective is to form an anti- China alliance in order to carry out Britain's plan to decolonise HK and to pose obstacles to China in resuming sovereignty over HK.

We hope Mr Patten would not again do things that contravene the "three conformities", obstruct Sino-British talks and undermine Sino-British cooperation.

It is regrettable that somebody has said things contradictory to the "three conformities" at an international forum.

The Sino-British talks must be conducted on the basis of the "three conformities". This

is China's consistent stand and has taken into consideration HK people's interest. Although somebody has said things contradictory to the "three conformities", the Chinese side still hopes that both sides would take a responsible attitude towards conducting the third round of talks on the basis of the JD, the principle of convergence with the BL and the various Sino-British understandings and agreements.

The senior echelon of the Communist Party, in recent exchanges, has reiterated their official stand on the HK question and has asked relevant departments to toe the same line in making remarks on those issues. One of the principles is that the Chinese and the British sides must conduct negotiations and cooperate in the latter half of the transition on the basis of the JD and

previous understandings and agreements so as to ensure a smooth transtion. The key will now be for the British side to give up the Governor's reform package and return to the "three conformities".

CONFIDENTIAL