[COLAMT]
SECRET
Sonorary of
дорой
FROM:
A M Layden
Private Secretary
Urbayden
The Secretan "
DATE: 24 January 1986
sent
2711
(2)
fraze
afres
intreru
27/i
HKK 256/
LECEIVED IN REGISTRY
27 JAN1986
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
1.
REGISTRY
Action Tak.c
1.
Langsten
the now need
rel autunning
+
бо
Peking to fo
ahead
CC
M. 27%.
PS/Mr Rent on
Sir W Harding
Dr Wilson
Mr Fifoot, Legal Adviser
HONG KONG PUBLIC SERVICE: LOCALISATION: SENIOR APPOINTMENTS
Problem
The Sino-British
provides that the
Joint Declaration
future
Region Government ma y
non-Chinese) as Heads
of
Hong Kong
not employ
(Annex I, Section IV)
Special Administrative
foreign nationals (ie
Branches ог major Departments after
1997. Some adjustment is need ed to the localisation policies
of the Hong Kong Government to avoid a damaging break in the
continuity of the Civil Service in 1997. But it is important
that we should proceed at a pace that will not harm the overall
quality and stability of the service. The Hong Kong Government
have put forward proposals which seem well judged to achieve
these aims, and they have been agreed by EXCO. HKG would like
to tell the staff involved about the proposals on 3 February.
2.
The Chinese Government have shown sensitivity in this area.
They are concerned that any changes brought about in order to
implement the Joint Declaration should not threaten stability
in Hong Kong, and that expatriate officers in the lower and
medium grades of the Hong Kong Civil Service should not be
discouraged from staying оп after 1997. The Governor has
recommended, and HM Ambassador at Peking has agreed, that we
should inform the Chinese Government, in a I ow-key manner,
about the proposed changes before there is any chance of their
becoming public knowledge.
SECRET