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CONFIDENTIAL
by Bow
~ MVTC 412 x 1572
Minutes of meeting of Minister of State
Mr. Timothy Renton, with VMELCO on
23 January 1986 at 7 a.m.
Present As in seating plan attached.
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(19
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Mr. Renton said that he was in Hong Kong in October for the opening of the new LegCo building. Glad to be back in less than three months. Observed that Hong Kong's partially elected assembly was proving to be very effective. Recalled the very moving speeches made by Unofficials at the opening ceremony and was pleased that the re-constituted LegCo was moving towards realisation of their expectations.
2.
Mr.
Renton explained that the purpose of his visit to Peking was to take up the invitation for his predecessor Mr. Luce. The visit to Peking presented a very good opportunity for him to come back in less than three months. He had had an opportunity to brief the Governor of the 'Hong Kong' contents of his talks in Peking and attended an Executive Counil meeting.
3.
Mr. Renton said he left Peking shortly after the commencement of the Lords' debate on the nationality White Paper. He discussed with his Chinese counterparts in Peking various bilateral matters between the UKG and the PRCG and a number of matters on Hong Kong. Where constitutional development was concerned, neither the PRCG nor the UKG had any preconceived ideas about the 1987 review or the contents of the Basic Law. He stressed that the 1987 review had got to be serious: it must not gloss over the opinions of Hong Kong people if it were to be a true and proper review. The most important thing at the moment was to allow time for recent reforms to settle down. He believed this view reflected the pragmatic feelings in Hong Kong for a step-by-step approach, to allow time to digest recent developments before deciding on the next step. He noted from comments from newspapers that he appeared to be putting a damper on further reforms and assured the meeting that this was not the intention.
HKK 027/5
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
12 FEB 1986
OFFICER
RIDISTAY
CONFIDENTIAL
Ab