ALTHOUGH I do not doubt that Britain and China both sincerely want to hold talks to settle electoral arrangements for 1995, I am not optimistic that they can reach an agreement. The gulf between the two sides is so wide.
The Chinese side demands that the Governor withdraws his political reform proposal. It claims that the Governor's democratic reform violates the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. However, the Governor has the support of John Major and a considerable number of Hongkong people.
The British side insists that Legco councillors elected in 1995 should be able to serve after 1997, that is, they can ride the ''through train'', in spite of their anti-communist stance. China will not make concessions and so there is a deadlock. Even public opinion is divided. China's intention to set up a ''second stove'' namely the Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government Preparatory Committee, illustrates that both parties no longer trust each other and co-operation is impossible. When the reforms are tabled for debate in Legco, Sino-British relations will further deteriorate.
I do not rule out the possibility of a third country assisting Hongkong people to resolve the 1997 problem because there are many foreign investors in Hongkong and they hope to see a smooth transition in 1997.
CHRIS TSANG CHI-PING Kowloon
