SUNAAB
MR RENTON'S VISIT TO HONG KONG (27 31 OCTOBER 1985)
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1. STEERING BRIEF
1.
Mr Renton will visit Hong Kong, arriving on Sunday 27 October
and leaving on the morning of Thursday 31 October.
OBJECTS OF THE VISIT
2.
a)
The objects of the visit are to enable Mr Renton:
to meet a wide cross-section of people in Hong Kong and hear
their views on current issues:
b)
to attend the opening of the first Legislative Council session
with elected members and in its new building (the former
Supreme Court):
r) to discuss major issues with the Governor, the Executive
Council, and senior officials of the Hong Kong Government.
3.
In general Mr Renton will find that people in Hong Kong will be
seeking reassurance about HMG's commitment to the territory up to
1997 and that it will not
not lose interest thereafter. They will look
for signs that HMG will strike the right balance between consulting
the Chinese on major issues, while standing up to the Chinese in
defence of Hong Kong's interests and avoiding erosion of the
principle that up to 1997 the administration of Hong Kong is HMG's
responsibility. There is anxiety that, the Joint Declaration having been signed, the interests of Hong Kong will be given reduced
priority in Ministers' attention. There is continuing concern
particular issues such as on natitonality and passport questions
(see below).
on
4.
Apart from discussion with the Governor and senior officials,
Mr Renton's main meeting
substance will be with the Executive
of