-1
SECRET
ZCZC
SECRET
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE PEKING
TELNO
OF 11110OZ MARCH 92
AND TO IMMEDIATE UKREP JLG HONG KONG, HONG KONG
HMOCS: BRIEFING THE CHINESE
IMMEDIATE
1. All agree that we should seek to inform the Chinese of what
we have decided rather than to engage in consultation with them
about our proposals. However, whatever the reasons for our
decisions (obligation, incentive to continuity etc), the payment
by HMG of up to pounds 40 million to Hong Kong public servants
over a number of years beginning in 1997 is surely a major Hong
Kong matter straddling 1997. Grateful your views on how we
should respond to any Chinese disposition to argue that a
refusal to consult them on these is in breach of the clear
commitments which Ministers gave them last year, both privately
and in public?
HURD
YYYY
MAIN
HONG KONG AGREEMENT RESTRICTED
NNNN
NJCAAX/TG
HKD
N J COX
270 2650