2

4.

Thereafter discussion could continue with Hong Kong's most

pressing current problem immigration from China (Brief No.2

below) and then move on to New Territories leases (Brief No.3)

and relations with China generally. There is not much more to

say on this latter point than was in the brief for Sir Murray's

abortive meeting with the Secretary of State (copy at Brief No.8

below), but the Governor may have some suggestions to make.

5. Mr Blaker might then take up the question of democratic reform,

on which we have already submitted separately. This could be taken

together with the subject of parliamentary interest and Hong Kong

pressure groups (Brief No.4), though we shall need to make it

clear that the interest in democracy is not limited to the Hong

Kong pressure groups and their allies in Parliament here, but is

shared by many moderate MPs, including some who are quite well

informed about Hong Kong.

6. The Minister might then ask the Governor to report on his con-

versations on 10 January with the Defence Secretary and the Chief

of the General Staff about the Hong Kong garrison (Brief No.5),

and consider whether there is anything further that we in the FCO

need to do at this stage to support Hong Kong's case.

7.

Finally, if time permits, the Minister could discuss the stage

reached so far in the negotiations for the introduction of a second

airline on the London/Hong Kong route (Brief No.6) and consider the

state of the Hong Kong economy and its implications for the next

Hong Kong Budget (Brief No.7).

Hong Kong and General Department

Share This Page