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number of sensitive
issues.
Не could find pretexts for
these visits, but doubts whether such pretexts would be believed in Hong Kong or indeed are really necessary.
9.
I take the Governor's point that his visit to Peking
a useful channel for detailed
There was no adverse
in August opened up
-
indeed rather the
of
discussion of constitutional issues.
reaction in Hong Kong to his visit
opposite. But I wonder whether a schedule of such frequent
and regular visits as he proposes for next year might not
come to be directly linked in Hong Kong minds with stages
in the 1987 review, and to give an impression
undesirably close and regular consultation on issues which
should be determined by the Hong Kong people. While it is
now generally accepted and understood in Hong Kong that
there is contact between the British and Chinese
Governments over issues arising from the 1987 review and
the drafting of the Basic Law, it might still be
misunderstood if the Governor appeared to travel to Peking
V for "consultations" almost as frequently as he did to
London. Moreover the Chinese, while making full use of the
channel offered by the Governor's visits, will of course
see the main line of communication as joining Peking and
London.
C D
Ꭰ
A
10.
Sir P Evans'
comments betray, between the lines, some
concern that his position could be undercut by too frequent
visits from the Governor.
We do not wish to give the
impression that we are cutting out the Ambassador from the
dialogue. Nevertheless I do not think he
think he can insist, as he
appears to do in Peking telno 2067, that a visit by the
Governor cannot take place if he is away on leave: a chargé
d'affaires is just as much the
the British Government in Peking.
official
representative of
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