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COURSE GENERALLY KNOWN AND UNDERSTOOD THAT WE ARE ENGAGED IN
INFORMAL CONTACTS WITH THE CHINESE OVER THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
POLITICAL SYSTEM IN HONG KONG. THIS WAS CLEARLY REFLECTED IN
HONG KONG PRESS COVERAGE OF THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO PEKING IN
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER (YOUR TELNO 2842).
4.
́ON THE OTHER HAND WE ARE AGREED THAT IT IS VITAL TO AVOID
ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE 1987 REVIEW IS BEING FIXED IN ADVANCE
AND IMPOSED BY THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS ON HONG KONG.
5.
IF WE WERE ASKED FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CHIEF
SECRETARY'S REPORTED STATEMENT WE NEED TO BE READY WITH A MORE
DEVELOPED LINE. WE SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING:
BEGINS
6.
NATURALLY WE MAINTAIN A CONTINUING INFORMAL EXCHANGE OF
VIEWS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AS PART OF THE PROCESS
OF ACHIEVING COMPATIBILITY BETWEEN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
HONG KONG'S SYSTEMS BEFORE 1997 AND THE SYSTEM TO BE
PRESCRIBED IN THE BASIC LAW. THIS IS ESSENTIAL IF THERE
IS TO BE A SMOOTH TRANSITION IN 1997, CONDUCTED IN A
SPIRIT OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES. THE 1987
REVIEW IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN OUR THINKING ON THESE
QUESTIONS, AND THE CHINESE ARE OF COURSE AT PRESENT
ENGAGED IN DRAFTING THE BASIC LAW. THE 1987 REVIEW IS A
MATTER FOR THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS, TO BE
CONDUCTED IN THE LIGHT OF THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE HONG
KONG PEOPLE. BUT WE ENVISAGE THAT THE DOCUMENTS RELATING
TO THE REVIEW WILL BE GIVEN TO THE CHINESE SIDE AS A
COURTESY SHORTLY BEFORE PUBLICATION, AS SIMILAR
DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST. ENDS
WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR AND PEKING'S COMMENTS.
HOWE
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NEWS D.
DR WILSON
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