GRS 1300
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 17090OZ FCO
TELNO 2208
OF 18051OZ OCTOBER 85
CONFIDENTIAL
ALTOP
FOLLOWING FOR GALSWORTHY, HONG KONG DEPARTMENT
FROM GOVERNOR
208
TOP COPY
209
4416 027/6
027/6
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
2 1 OCT 1985
DESK OFFICER
INDIEX
MIPT: DRAFT OF A STEERING BRIEF FOR MR RENTON'S VISIT.
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. THE OBJECTS OF THE VISIT ARE TO ENABLE MR RENTON
(A) TO MEET A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG AND HEAR
THEIR VIEWS ON CURRENT ISSUES:
PA
(B) TO ATTEND THE OPENING OF THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION WITH ELECTED MEMBERS AND IN ITS NEW BUILDING (THE FORMER SUPREME
COURT):
(C) 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 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 ON PARTICULAR ISSUES SUCH AS ON NATIONALITY AND PASSPORT QUESTIONS
(SEE BELOW).
4. APART FROM DISCUSSION WITH THE GOVERNOR AND SENIOR OFFICIALS, MR RENTON'S MAIN MEETING OF SUBSTANCE WILL BE WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (EXCO). THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ADVISES THE GOVERNOR ON ALL MAJOR ISSUES OF POLICY AND, ALTHOUGH TECHNICALLY THE GOVERNOR
HAS THE RIGHT TO REJECT THEIR ADVICE, IN PRACTICE HE DOES NOT
DO SO AND A DECISION ON SUCH ISSUES IS TAKEN DURING THE COUNCIL
/MEETINGS
| REĢISTR
Action Tak..
CONFIDENTIAL