་
SECRET
30
HKC 182 12
312
000364 MDHIAN 3603
SECRET
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 3672
OF 10110OZ DECEMBER 90
1Y0
12/12
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
TOP COPY Q DIST?
PERSONAL FOR MARSDEN, HKD FROM GOVERNOR
PADS: THE WAY FORWARD
Gf
pls
3. SUBJECT TO YOUR VIEWS, WE INTEND NOW TO PROPOSE A SECOND ROUND OF EXPERT TALKS ON 14 AND 15 JANUARY IN PEKING, CONCENTRATING ON FINANCE ALONE. IF THE CHINESE WERE TO COME BACK AND ASK TO DISCUSS ANY OTHER ISSUE, WE WOULD BE PREPARED TO DO SO, BUT WE WANT TO NARROW THE TALKS TO THE ESSENTIALS AT THIS SECOND ROUND SO THAT AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
4. BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE TALKS, I WOULD LIKE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO LEAD OUR TEAM. THE SECRETARY FOR THE “ TREASURY, THE POLITICAL ADVISER AND THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST WILL ALSO BE MEMBERS. THERE WOULD BE SUPPORTING STAFF FROM FINANCE BRANCH. IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, I HOPE VERY MUCH THAT THE CHINESE CAN BE PERSUADED TO APPOINT SOMEONE MORE SENIOR THAN LUO JIAHUAN TO LEAD THEIR TEAM. I ALSO HOPE THAT IT WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR THE FS TO MAKE USE OF HIS VISIT TO CALL ON LU PING.
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Redacted under FOI exemption 27(1)