Talks Backed on Hong Kong
Premier Li Peng said Thursday that China and Britain should resume talks on Hong Kong but reiterated Beijing’s demand that London first abandon a political reform plan.
Li’s conciliatory tone was a marked change from China’s previous strident demand that Britain give up the plan to expand democracy in Hong Kong before the colony returns to Chinese rule in 1997. But it did not fundamentally change Beijing’s position.
The comments, made to members of Hong Kong’s General Chamber of Commerce, came as Beijing prepared for a visit Saturday by an International Olympic Committee delegation. China, desperate to host the 2000 Summer Olympics, has tried to improve its international image.
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