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Kong should have.

We have

Government's views on how this

at present no idea what the Chinese

consutlative process will be carried

We are not seeking to

that these matters are now

to them

out and exactly what its scope should

rush them but it must be obvious

of very great interest in Hong Kong.

12.

be.

while this

We recognise that there can be no early decisions and indeed

these decisions should not be taken without careful consideration

and wide consultation. During the next year or So,

debate proceeds in Hong Kong, neither Government should adopt

pre-conceived ideas. Both inside and outside the BLDC and BLCC,

ferment of ideas about Hong Kong's

The British side will not be formenting

this debate: it will happen naturally. The results of September's

LEGCO elections 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

structure of government.

13.

As we said at JLG, we are in terest in a genuine two-way

dialogue. Believe this is best conducted informally and quietly to

avoid either side adopting en trenched positions. Hope that the

Chinese side will share wilt us any preliminary thoughts they might

have in this

area SO that there can be a

of constructive exchange

direct knowledge of each other's thinking. Hope that

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 are

developing.

views based on

discussion

Government.

14.

been

in

There must be trust between us.

We had hoped that this had established when Deng told the Secretary of State in July 1984 that Chinese had highest trust in Prime Minister/Secretary of State.

therefore particularly disturbed

mistrust of our motives.

We

are

a t

recent

*

signs of Chinese

15.

May be helpful if I make

seeking to

economic

make a profit

interests

left wing press in

proxy pro-British adminstration after 1997.

is not

suggest, Hong Kong sometimes

Britain is

is not things clear. some

of of Hong Kong, and protection out

first concern. our

trying, we

to leave behind

Our first concern is to

our

Nor

are

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