ARZADB
(vi)
JOINT LIAISON GROUP
RESTRICTED
Work of JLG progressing smoothly and steadily.
Working relations close, cordial and very businesslike.
Will JLG become organ of power once it takes Hong Kong as its
permanent base?
No question of this: JLG is organ for liaison and will not concern itself with day to day running of HKG.
Why will senior representative of British team to JLG not initially
be stationed in Hong Kong?
Senior representative will be in regular and frequent
contact with his Chinese opposite number, ready to meet him whenever
necessary. But also need for him to remain in close contact with
Ministers and officials in London.
Senior representative will be based in Hong Kong when it
makes operational sense for him to do so.
Why are HMG against holding all future JLG meetings in Hong Kong?
Joint Declaration specifies that Joint Liaison Group shall
meet in Peking, London and Hong Kong at least once in each year. Right that we should stick to these provisions.
HMG's view on Court of Final Appeal being set up in Hong Kong 1992
Welcome in principle: prepares for arrangement set out in
Joint Declaration.
Discussions begun with Chinese in JLG: no doubt issue will
need to be discussed between experts.
Why are you not participating in JLG Office opening?
My visit happens to coincide with JLG opening. But this was not the purpose of my visit. Perfectly appropriate that I should concentrate on the real purpose of my visit here: seeing Hong Kong
and talking to as many people as I can.
RESTRICTED