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HONG KONG AGREEMENT: RATIFICATION
2012/3
36
19 February 1985
Sir W Harding
Mr Burrows
Mr Elliott, FED
[ HUK 040/12_
LAS
1. On 12 February Ministers agreed that we should propose to the Chinese that ratification take place in the last week of May, and
instructions were sent to the Ambassador. The Governor has now
recommended that we should put off an approach to the Chinese on this point for the moment on the grounds that we may be able to make some mileage from the concession, and that he needs first to consult EXCO. Meanwhile, Zhou Nan has now told the Ambassador that he hopes
we can ratify before Zhao's visit.
2.
I can
see no immediate urgency in approaching the Chinese on the date of ratification, although I doubt that delay will give us any leverage with the Chinese. I think, however, that it would be
advisable to raise the matter with the Chinese before the Bill comes to the Committee stage in the Lords on 14 March. Otherwise it will be apparent that the Parliamentary procedure is nearly complete and the Chinese may press us
for an earlier date for ratification.
3. I submit a draft telegram putting these points and authorising the Ambassador, if approached again by Zhou Nan on the date, to tell
If the Chinese him that we hope to be able to ratify in late May.
CONFIDENTIAL
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