Alan Paul Esq
HONG KONG DEPARTMENT
FCO
CONFIDENTIAL
4
BRITISH EMBASSY,
PEKING.
1/3
HKC406/3
COSK
INDEN
11 SEP 1990
¡GISTRY Artien Tosun
8 August 1990
Den Alan.
HONG KONG OFFICE IN PEKING
1.
Telter on
Miss Marsden
We should take
ра W 23/3
account
I was grateful to William Ehrman for copying to us his letter exploring the various possibilities for setting up a Hong Kong Office in Peking.
2.
Нам
7 them
William himself has identified many of the potential difficulties. At first glance it is difficult to decide whether the main significance of any Office would be in increasing mutual awareness between the Hong Kong Government and the Central Government of China or in serving, through its very existence, to bolster confidence in Hong Kong. In view of the difficulties sketched out by William, we wonder whether efforts to establish an Office even as late as 1995 will not risk more through damaging confidence by a Chinese refusal than would be gained from improving mutual comprehension.
3.
Taking William's points in order we have the following detailed comments: -
Para 6a):
After 1997 responsibility for the SAR and for dealing with it will lie entirely with the HKMAO of the State Council. The MFA's role will then be limited to the SAR's relations with foreign countries and any discussions necessary with us. Probably the best way to build up contacts with the State Council before 1997 is through an intensified programme of visits at official, rather than senior, level.
17/8
CONFIDENTIAL
/Para 6b)