SECRET
(vi) to keep abreast of, and where possible to influence, their
own thinking on these issues.
18. A full range of channels will have to be used. The
relationship between the Secretary of State and Wu Xueqian will
continue to be of particular importance. It will have to be
supplemented, as the need and opportunity arises, by other contacts.
These might include demarches by Sir R Evans, visits to Peking by
the new Governor of Hong Kong (but he will wish to establish himself
in Hong Kong first), visits by other Hong Kong officials and visits
by Chinese officials to Hong Kong. In addition the views of the
people of Hong Kong will reach the Chinese in a variety of ways both
direct and indirect.
19.
Taking into account what we know at this stage about
ministerial movements, the following is a proposed chronology of
main contacts with the Chinese over the 1987 Review:
JANUARY 1987
Message from Secretary of State to Wu, which could
be linked to the Chinese New Year at the end of
the month.
Refers to 1987 as an important year for Hong
Kong and expresses the hope that there will be
the closest possible dialogue between the
British and Chinese Governments about the
issues that will arise;
recalls, with reference to what Zhou Nan said
to the late Governor in December, that we are
approaching the 1987 Review with a totally open mind and without pre-judgement;
expresses the hope that the two ministers might
be able to meet in March during Wu's visit to
Europe, and subsequently during the ESCAP
meeting in Bangkok at the end of April.
SECRET
Page 120Page 121