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KONG GOVERNMENT ARE COMMITTED TO A FURTHER REVIEW IN 1987. NEITHER THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT NOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAVE ANY PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS ABOUT WHAT THE
AT PRESENT WE ARE CONCLUSION OF SUCH A REVIEW SHOULD BE.
IN MAINLY ENGAGED, AS WE BELIEVE THE CHINESE SIDE ARE, LISTENING TO EXPRESSIONS OF PUBLIC OPINION IN HONG KONG. FOR OUR PART WE HAVE NOT AT PRESENT IDENTIFIED ANY ISSUES IN THIS CONTEXT WHICH CALL FOR 'CONSULTATION AND SOLUTION' BY BOTH SIDES.
(D) YOU SHOULD SAY THAT THE ABOVE CONSTITUTES OUR REPLY
YOU ARE HOWEVER AUTHORISED IN TO THE CHINESE SUGGESTION. ADDITION TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE BRITISH SIDE WOULD BE WILLING TO HAVE A DIALOGUE ON CHINESE ANXIETIES ABOUT ANY FUTURE CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, BUT THAT FOR THE TIME BEING IT WOULD BE EASIER TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE SENSITIVITIES OF BOTH SIDES IF SUCH A DIALOGUE WERE TO TAKE PLACE OUTSIDE THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. WE ARE WILLING TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES OF SUCH A DIALOGUE FURTHER WITH THE CHINESE.
OCMIAN 6337
'HONG KONG AGREEMENT
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MR MALLABY CABINET OFFICE MR DRC CHRISTOPHER
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