THE 17 rounds of Sino-British talks yielded no concrete discussions on the ''through-train'' - guarantees for legislators to serve beyond 1997 - despite the priority Britain attached to the issue.
Britain's version shows Beijing did no more than reiterate its stance on the issue which British officials described as ''an essential part'' of the talks.
Beijing had insisted on having the right to decide which legislators elected in 1995 would be allowed to serve beyond the handover.
But it did not say whether councillors' past actions would count against them - important for Britain.
Despite the eagerness of Britain to strike agreement on through-train criteria from the outset, China only made a response in the 15th round - shortly before negotiations came to an end.
Under a list of requirements presented by China, legislators would have to love Hong Kong and China; not oppose the Basic Law; not participate in or lead activities aimed at overthrowing Chinese rule; and not undermine the socialist system in order to beconsidered for the through-train.
