G.F J16
SECRET 高度機密
account in our planning.
10.
5
In order to minimise discontinuity, we must seek to persuade the Chinese that:
(a)
not
only maximum continuity is desirable, but that they do not need to put in their nominees into the
senior ranks of the civil service because they
already have sufficient. degree of control and
influence, post-1997, of the senior civil
service.
In particular the Chief Executive
recommends their appointment to the CPG and
directs their work. The MFA Office monitors and
advises over aspects of their work which has a
foreign policy dimension.
Committees which may themselves consist of
Key boards and
pro-China elements will influence
decisions.
their policy
11.
(b)
(at least at the initial
there will be plenty of Chinese,
through various
stage of discussion)
opportunities for the
ways, of satisfying
themselves that the potential pool of senior civil servants capable of becoming principal officials
are acceptable to them; thus
(c)
any
precipitate action/pronouncement on their part would create instability within the senior ranks
of the civil service. This will not only be not
conducive to a smooth transition, but would create
difficulties for the maintenance of stability (and
hence) prosperity in the transitional years. The
British side will not tolerate this: and
(a) they must take a more reasonable attitude to the question of nationality/right of abode requirement
of potential principal officials, and particular the position of their dependents.
In
in
terns of tactics, it is recommended that we adopt
Acting
the following course of course:
SECRET 高度機密