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at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The group is working full time
between rounds of formal talks. Both working group teams are
responsible to the Chairman of their respective Government delegations
who remain responsible for the overall conduct of the negotiations.
7. Mr Luce visited Hong Kong from 12-14 July for regular
9
consultations. He had meetins with the Executive and Legislative Council
of. Hong Kong as well as business and community representatives. The
Secretary of State will visit Hong Kong and Peking at the end of July.
In Peking he will continue his series of discussions with the Chinese
leaders on all aspects of Hong Kong's future. The Secretary of State
will visit Hong Kong on his way to and from Peking. This will give him
an opportunity to listen to the views of the people of Hong Kong. He
will meet the Governor and members of the Executive and Legislative
Councils, and other representatives of the Hong Kong community.
A Green Paper on the future development of representative Government
will be published on 18 July in Hong Kong. It contains proposals for
indirect elections to the Executive and Legislative Councils of Hong
Kong. Indirect elections are proposed at this stage, rather than
direct elections, because of the essential need to preserve stability
and harmony in the community at this crucial time.
9.
The reply has been agreed with Hong Kong and Peking.
Hong Kong Department
17 July 1984
cc: Sir P Cradock
FED
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