CONFIDENTIAL
(vi) Visit to Peking
(a) We must make clear to the Chinese that the Committee's views
are not those of HMG. Chinese sensitivities will need to be an
important part of the Secretary of State's first briefing rounds. Sir A Donald could also go over the ground again when he meets the Committee informally during his mid-tour leave in March. Chinese sensitivity on the sovereignty issue is likely to be heightened by
the fact that the second draft of the Basic Law will already have
been endorsed by the Standing Committee of the Chinese National
People's Congress and published by the time the Committee visits
Hong Kong and Peking.
Ariano
A R Paul
CONFIDENTIAL
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