HKB 011/3
Mrs C Smith
FED
FROM:
S F Bailey (Miss) Parliamentary Relations Unit
DATE:
31 January 1989
CC:
Miss Marsden, HKD.
51
FAC:
1.
FORTHCOMING INQUIRY INTO HONG KONG
You will by now have seen Peking telegram No. 122, paragraph 2 of which refers to the importance of getting the FAC to make the initial approach to the Chinese in order that the Chinese should not assume that this visit is Government sponsored. Infact, you and I have already touched upon this problem (paragraph 2 of my minute to you of 30 January refers).
2.
The main
In order to try to clarify the situation, both for ourselves and for Peking, I have now spoken to Robert Wilson, the Clerk to the FAC. He told me that he recently accompanied the Chairman of the Committee, David Howell, to an informal meeting with the Chinese Ambassador. purpose of the meeting was, I gather, to give the Chinese Ambassador advance notice of the Inquiry before the FAC issued their press release. The Chinese Ambassador responded by saying that the FAC would be very welcome to visit Peking and that he would pass on this information to his Government who would subsequently arrange a programme; the Ambassador made no mention of possible Chinese "hosts".
3.
The FAC have therefore made the initial, albeit very informal, approach to the Chinese Ambassador regarding their Inquiry and forthcoming visit to Peking. I do, however, feel that the time has now come for us, rather than the FAC, to ensure that the Chinese are formally aware of the precise purpose of the proposed FAC visit and their agreement formally sought regarding the proposed provisional dates; assuming their acceptance of the visit, no doubt we would be informed of the "host" organisation shortly thereafter.
•
Peking has given some useful suggestions as to programme content in paragraph 3 of their telegram No. 122. Indeed, for the FAC to have a useful visit, we feel it is most important that it is the considered recommendations of both the Embassy and the Departments concerned that should form the basis of the programme to be drawn up, though obviously such suggestions would need to be acceptable both to the FAC and to the Chinese themselves.
Paragraph 4 of Peking telegram No. 104 seeks guidance on Embassy involvement in this visit and on any present ideas
5.
/the