PREPARATORY COMMITTEE DETAILS of the new liaison mechanism between the Government and the powerful China-appointed Preparatory Committee had been discussed between Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen and the former British foreign secretary, Douglas Hurd, in April, it emerged last night.
The summit was part of the series of informal contacts between the two sides on the sensitive issue, first floated by Governor Chris Patten in his Policy Address last October.
The British thinking is that there should be a 'two-layered' mechanism on the transitional talks.
In addition to the Joint Liaison Group (JLG), there should be a more direct channel between the Government and the Preparatory Committee.
A 'docking mechanism' was needed for the Government and the Preparatory Committee to transport and clear information, an informed source said.
Although it would be logical for the mechanism be set up under the Constitutional Affairs Branch, the source said nothing had been finally decided.
'But apparently, the Chinese have been happy with the outline. Details of how the office operates need to be thrashed out.' The source said the British side was still hoping to get more details of the Preparatory Committee such as its terms of reference and key personnel.