CONFIDENTIAL
We
to secure suitable property, of which we can be certain
of retention, for the Consulate-General after 1997.
will have to ensure, for example, that the Secretary of
State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs will not be
regarded by the Chinese as a manifestation of the Crown
if title is taken in his name, as is normal practice with
the Diplomatic Estate. (Any agreement over title should
embrace all the Consulate-General's accommodation needs,
including staff housing.)
11.
We would not expect the Chinese to raise any
objection to our wish to plan for a Consulate-General
after 1997, given the Joint Declaration provision quoted
in paragraph 1 above. It is possible, however, that
when we consult them they will ask us for assistance in
connection with their own plans to establish an office in
Hong Kong in which to base their JLG representatives once
the Group moves its principal base there in 1988.
also clearly envisage some form of formal central
government representation in the SAR after 1997 for which
they may also hope to enlist our assistance in locating
premises.
They
Any request from the Chinese for assistance in
either of these matters would require detailed
consultation with the Hong Kong Government, since the
arrangements, and in particular any financial
consequences, would have to be agreed with them.
CONFIDENTIAL