Talks No. 16 for Britain and China

(First Edition)

PEKING - Britain and China began their 16th round of closed-door talks yesterday on Hong Kong's last local elections under British rule, AP reports.

After three rounds of talks in quick succession in October, the two sides have been recessed for three weeks while Sir Robin McLaren, the British ambassador to China, and Hong Kong's Governor, Chris Patten, consulted with the Government in London.

Britain stresses that it wants a 'smooth transition'.