180
D, E
F
ما عالما
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-2-
Argument
4.
ام الحالمة
The draft brief incorporates the views of the Governor
(Hong Kong telegram Nos 1081 and 1111) and Sir P Cradock (Peking
telegram No 552).
elegram
There has been some debate over whether discussions
with the Chinese over the practical problem of New Territories leases
should be held at official level. The Governor suggests that they
should not, whilst the Ambassador points out that such discussions
would only follow from a Chinese request for our views on a solution
to the problem. I am sure that it would be right to keep the option
of official talks open. Depending on how the talks go, it could be
very helpful to agree with the Chinese that detailed discussion could
continue after the visit.
5.
The supplementary brief will thus provide the basis for
discussions between officials if particular questions on leases are
raised by the Chinese. These will have to be played carefully
because we have to balance our wish to obtain reassurance for
investors against the problems of any move which required new
legislation in Hong Kong.
6.
The alternatives are:
a) To avoid the problem of new legislation by adopting
the device of a 'periodic lease' (paragraph 4 of the
supplementary brief) which would not name a date beyond
1997. This could provide some assurance to investors,
particularly if it were seen to be applied to leases both
to Chinese-controlled organisations and to non-officials
ones. But it would not inspire full confidence, since
security of tenure would not be guaranteed.
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/b)