10.
CONFIDENTIAL
1 !
ARE
4. THE CHINESE WILL HAVE NO GROUNDS FOR SUSPICION THAT WE UP TO TRICKS'. IT WAS MADE QUITE CLEAR TO THEM THAT THERE WERE VARIOUS PROCESSES TO BE COMPLETED AND THAT SIX MONTHS WAS REQUIRED FOR THIS. YOU WILL RECALL THE GREAT DIFFICULTY WE EXPERIENCED IN GETTING THE CHINESE TO ACCEPT THAT WE NEEDED UP TO THE END OF JUNE 1985 TO COMPLETE THE NECESSARY LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES. TO BE READY TO RATIFY BY MID-APRIL COULD CALL INTO QUESTION THE CREDIBILITY OF THE AGREEMENTS PUT TO THEM BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN APRIL. NOR ARE THE CHINESE THE ONLY ONES TO BE CONSIDERED. HMG AND THE CHINESE DECIDED ON JUNE 30 AND OUR PLANNING HAS
BEEN DONE WITHIN THAT TIME FRAME. IT WOULD NOT BE EASY TO EXPLAIN WHY HONG KONG'S LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES HAD TO BE CONDENSED TO MEET SOME NEW ARBITARY DATE FOR RATIFICATION.
YOUDE
HONG KONG AGREEMENT
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
HD/PLANNING STAFF
HD/PUSD
DEP HD/PUSD
RESEARCH DEPT (MR WALKER) PS
PS/MR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR W HARDING
MR WILSON
SIR J FREELAND
MR J CROWLEY, PUSD
COPIES TO: (VIA ADR)
MR ROBERTS, NEWS DEPT
MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS
MR BURROWS, LEGAL ADVISERS
MR KARTIN, ASST STAFF CABINET
OFFICE
MR CARTLEDGE, CABINET OFFICE MR B R C CHRISTOPHER, CABINET OFF. SIR P CRADOCK, NO 10 DOWNING ST
MR EMERY BY HOME OFFICE,
CROYDON
MR HYDE, HOME OFFICE,
CONFIDENTIAL
QUEEN ANNE'S GATE