DE 18-77
Mr Richards,
Information Department
OAB G/62
Reference..
HKCD 301/1 нко
(165)
BRITAIN HANDBOOK
1.
Your minute of 18 August to Miss Marsden refers. I should like to suggest that the proposed additional passage
be redrafted to read :
"In accordance with the agreement, China is responsible for the drafting of a Basic Law which will reflect the provisions of the agreement and will be a constitutional charter for Hong Kong after 1997. In the light of events in Peking in June 1989, which gave rise to grave concern in Hong Kong about the future, Britain has made clear to China that is is for the Chinese government to demonstrate through concrete actions their commitment to the agreement and thereby to regain the trust of people in Hong Kong. One area where they could do this is to ensure that the final version of the Basic Law is in a form which commands confidence in Hong Kong.
2. I do not believe it is appropriate in the context of the "Britain Handbook" to offer our views on individual aspects of the Basic Law.
22 August 1989
CC
: Mr Seaton, FED
ethat
C T Wood
Hong Kong Department WH 304 270 2655