CONFIDENTIAL
FM UKREP JLG HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 245
OF 15050OZ JULY 91
CONFIDENTIAL
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG, PEKING
HKB 440 / 1
TOP COPY Q DIST?
21
067767
MDHIAN 5450
YOUR TELNO 1288 TO HONG KONG : EXTENSION OF THE 198 OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT TO HONG KONG.
1. WE DOUBT WHETHER THERE WILL BE SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CHINESE OVER THIS. IF THEY SHOULD ENQUIRE, WE COULD TELL THEM THAT THIS IS MERELY A MATTER OF REPLACEMENT OF OBSOLETE LEGISLATION WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED IN THE UK. THE 1911 ACT IS REGARDED AS NO LONGER WORKABLE. IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR
IT TO CONTINUE IN THE FORCE HERE WHEN IT HAS ALREADY BEEN DISCARDED IN THE UK. BY DEFINITION, AS UK LEGISLATION, IT CANNOT PERSIST BEYOND 1997, AND THEREFORE IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE SUBJECT FOR CONSULTATION. PRIVATELY I MIGHT INDICATE TO GUO THAT HOW WE KEEP OUR SECRETS IS VERY MUCH OUR OWN BUSINESS. IN FACT, FOR THIS VERY REASON, I THINK THE CHINESE MIGHT BE SOMEWHAT INHIBITED ABOUT TAKING THIS UP WITH US.
2.
THE ONLY POSSIBILITY IS THAT IF THE LEGISLATION BECOMES VERY CONTROVERSIAL IN THE HONG KONG MEDIA, CHINESE INTEREST MIGHT BE KINDLED. HOWEVER I DOUBT WHETHER THIS WOULD BE LIKELY TO EXTEND TO HIGH LEVEL CONCERN.
3. ALL THAT SAID, IF THE LEGISLATION CAN BE DELAYED FOR A FEW MONTHS WITHOUT ANY PARTICULAR LOSS, THERE IS NO HARM IN THAT.
GALSWORTHY
YYYY
MAIN
60
.HONG KONG AGREEMENT
. (RESTRICTED)
LIMITED
DISTRIBUTION
64
PUSD
RAD
PS/LORD CAITHNESS
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1
CONFIDENTIAL
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