OUT TELEGRAM
Caveat
TO IMMEDIATE WASHINGTON
TELNO
OF 15150OZ MAY 91
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG, PEKING, ROME
FROM PRIVATE SECRETARY
FOR SECRETARY OF STATE'S PARTY
MIPT: MESSAGE TO THE ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
BEGINS
Precedence
IMMEDIATE
I know that you will shortly be setting off on a visit to China.
I thought you might appreciate a brief account of the present
state of our relations with China over Hong Kong.
In the remaining years of British administration in Hong Kong we
well need to intensify our cooperation with China over Hong
Kong, in order to bring about a smooth transition in 1997. This
is clearly stipulated in the Sino-British Joint Declaration.
That agreement also stipulates that Britain will be responsible
for the administration of Hong Kong until 30 June 1997. It is
therefore vital to ensure that closer cooperation with China
does not undermine the authority of the Hong Kong Government,
File number
BATAKZ/CC
Dect
HKD
Catchword.
Drafted by (Block capitaisi
AR PAUL
ne o
270 2651
Authorised for despatch bu
For COD
use only
Printed in the UK
کیہ
Comcen reference
Daterlum.
1.75.
KOOL 20 M200 CON 56294
Telegram number
STOCK No.C0378 Yr96