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Kong should have.
We have at present по idea what the Chinese
this consutlative
Government's views on how
process will be carried
We are not seeking
to them that these matters are now
out and exactly what
rush them but it must be obvious
of very great interest in Hong Kong.
its scope should be.
to
12.
We recognise that there can be no early decisions and indeed
these decision s should not be taken without care ful consideration
and wide consultation. During the next year or So,
while this
debate proceeds in Hong Kong, neither Government should adopt
pre-conceived ideas. Both inside and outside the BLDC and BLCC,
ideas about Hong Kong's
The British side will not be formenting this debate: it will happen naturally. The results of September'
LEGCO election s and the short experience thus far of the new LEGCO indicate that this debate will be open, sincere and responsible.
there will be a considerable ferment
structure of government.
13.
of
As we said at JLG, We are in terest in a genuine two- dialogue. Believe this is best conducted informally and quietly t avoid either side adopting en trenched positions. Hope that the
Chinese side will share wilt us any preliminary thoughts they migh
have in this area SO that there can be a constructive exchange of
views based on direct knowledge of each other's thinking. Hope that
discussion in JLG will already have helped reassure Chinese
We have explained our thinking frankly to Chinese side.
Each side should be frank with the other about how their ideas ar
developing.
Government.
14.
been
be
There must
trust between us. We had
had hoped that this had
established when Deng told the Secretary of State in July 198
that Chinese had highest trust in Prime Minister/Secretary of Stat
We are therefore particularly disturbed
at recent signs of Chine
mistrust of our motives.
15.
May be helpful if I make s ome things clear. Britain in
seeking to make a profit out of Hong Kong, and protection.
economic interests is not our first concern. Nor are we trying left wing press in Hong Kong sometimes suggest, to leave behind
proxy pro-British adminstration after 1997. Our first concern
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