TNAG-2990-FCO40-3574-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-talks-betwee-1992 — Page 192

9 Oct 92

FE/1507 A1/2

unilaterally decided by the British Hong Kong government and that the first Legislative Council can go beyond 1997 by boarding the “democratic through train”. This is a distortion of the Basic Law.

All major matters straddling 1997 for which the SAR will undertake duties and responsibilities must be consulted with the Chinese side. Since the British government has signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the "Memorandum of Understanding on the Construction of Hong Kong's New Airport and Relevant Issues", it must abide by these agreements and carry out consultations and cooperation on the convergence issue. The unilateral announcement of major changes transcending 1997 without consultations in an attempt to cause a stir will surely evoke intense disputes, cause confusion, affect convergence with the Basic Law, and cause an unnecessary shock to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. The British side will, of course, be held responsible for all the serious consequences arising therefrom.

Did Chris Patten not talk at length about "consulting with the Chinese side on the 1995 elections" and "hoping to dispel misunderstanding and form mutual trust" not long ago? Apparently this was nothing but cheap propaganda from a politician. He is not as good as his word, is irresponsible, and has ruined his own reputation.

[2]

China "deeply disturbed" about proposed Hong Kong government changes (Text) A spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said here today [Beijing, 8th October] said [as received] some proposed major changes in the current political system in Hong Kong contained in the first policy address of Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten “are inconsistent with the provisions and spirit of the Sino-British Joint Declaration". The spokesman, Wu Jianmin, made the statement at a weekly press conference when he was asked to comment on the first policy address made by Chris Patten.

The spokesman said that the address contains some proposed major changes in the current political system in Hong Kong, "which, obviously, are inconsistent with the provisions and spirit of the Sino-British Joint Declaration that concern the strengthening of consultations and cooperation between the two sides as well as joint discussions on measures to be taken for the smooth transition in the latter half of the transitional period”. “They will surely present obstacles to Hong Kong's smooth transition and transfer of government. The Chinese side is deeply disturbed about this,” Wu said.

Wu said the Chinese side always maintains that there should not be major changes in the current political system in Hong Kong and that the evolution of the political system should converge with the Basic Law (of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region). "This is an important prerequisite for ensuring Hong Kong's prosperity and stability and smooth transition," he said. "The Chinese side wishes to point out in all seriousness that if the evolution of the political system in Hong Kong during the transitional period would not consist with the Basic Law, the Chinese side shall not be held responsible," Wu noted. (Xinhua news agency in English 0858 gmt 8 Oct 92)

SWB

[3]

Xinhua's Hong Kong spokesman on Governor's "imprudent" speech (FE/1506 i [1] - Text) A Zhongguo Tongxun She reporter called on the Xinhua Hong Kong branch seeking its comment on today's [7th October] policy speech delivered by the Governor of Hong Kong. A spokesman for the Xinhua Hong Kong branch made the following remarks to the Zhongguo Tongxun She reporter:

"We have noted the policy address delivered by Mr Chris Patten. Now, we do not wish to make a comprehensive comment on his policy address, but wish only to express our position on the part about the political structure.

"According to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, in the transitional period, Britain is responsible for the administration of Hong Kong with the aim of maintaining and preserving its economic prosperity and social stability, and the Chinese government will give its cooperation in this connection. In the transitional period, if major changes are made in the political structure of Hong Kong and lead to the weakening of the administrative capacity of the executive-led system, that is a violation of the spirit of the Joint Declaration. As for the way elections will be held in 1995, because it concerns a smooth transition, it should be announced after the Chinese and British sides discuss it and reach agreement. Now, the British side disregarded the opinion expressed seriously by the Chinese side, and unilaterally announced it in the form of the so-called 'proposal.' This is extremely irresponsible and is also extremely imprudent. The Chinese side will bear no responsibility at all for any open arguments [Chinese: zheng lun 3630 6158] caused by such action." (Zhongguo Tongaun She news agency in Chinese 1121 gmt 7 Oct 92)

XINHUA REPORTS HONG KONG GOVERNOR'S

REMARKS ON AIRPORT, ECONOMY, LEGCO

(a) Xinhua news agency in English 1401 gmt 7 Oct 92

Excerpts from report

[4]

Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten today [7th October] ensured local residents that the new airport would not be financed at the expense of key social programmes.

The Airport Authority and Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) will raise loans on world markets in order to relieve the burden on public funds, he said in his first policy statement delivered at the opening of the 1992-93 session of the Legislative Council... [passage omitted quoting Governor on advantages of new airport]

The airport would confirm Hong Kong's position at the crossroads of Asia, he added. "It deserves to be built. And it will be built," he said. Any delay in the completion of the new airport would be a great pity, he said. "We should be able to resolve the latest difficulties in short order," he said, pledging "I will work my hardest to do so.”