CONFIDENTIAL
9. Of course such an administration must accept the spirit of the agreement and therefore endorse the return of Hong Kong to China
under the arrangements set out there. I think you would say that it
must be patriotic. I wish to assure you that we have no intention of trying to leave behind an administration which would be
"pro-British" or a creature of the British.
10. All this underlines the importance of our cooperation within
the Joint Liaison Group. Its function of liaison and consultation
will be of the greatest significance. In many areas our own
administration of Hong Kong will run parallel with your
consideration of the matters to be prescribed in the Basic Law. It
is therefore most important that there should be close coordination,
so that each side understands the intentions of the other.
CONFIDENTIAL