CONFIDENTIAL
more than a two day visit, it would have to be confined
to Peking and the immediate neighbourhood. This should allow time for a excursion outside the city, eg to the Great Wall (which would provide good photo opportunities
particularly for the popular press). But the Chinese
would not insist on tourism if it was made plain that the Prime Minister wished to devote all his time to meetings. If the Prime Minister wished was able to spend longer in China, the Foreign Secretary would be happy to suggest places to visit outside Peking.
Participation of the Governor in the programme
The Governor has suggested that he should accompany the Prime Minister to Peking for the signature of the MOU. He has pointed out that since the agreement relates only to Hong Kong it would look odd for it to be signed without anyone present from the territory. This is an
important point, since there has been a good deal of ill informed criticism about the lack of Hong Kong
representation during the final stage of the
negotiations. The Governor proposes that he should not
accompany the Prime Minister throughout his visit, but should make a short trip to enable him to be present at the ceremony itself and at any associated meeting, eg with Li Peng. He would be accompanied only by his Private Secretary and perhaps one Hong Kong Chinese official. The Foreign Secretary endorses these
proposals.
CONFIDENTIAL