CONFIDENTIAL
Reference..
423
HKA 233/1
From: D S Fish
Date: 19 June 1992
Mr
fox
Hong Kong Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
CC: J V Kerby
403
I have just seen telegram number 869 from Peking about the right to early retirement for Hong Kong HMOCS officers.
You will no doubt be making your own assessment of the Ambassador's view that the Chinese are unlikely to be receptive to any early retirement proposal. But as I said in my minute of 8 June, the question of localisation policy would seem to be worthy of more serious investigation. The planned localisation of most of the public service by 1997 would have considerable attraction for local staff whose career prospects would be significantly enhanced. Would not the Chinese also find attractive the prospect of a major reduction in British influence in the run up to the transfer of sovereignty?
Mr Patten was clearly thinking along these lines when we met with him on 5 June. If he decided to go full steam ahead with a carefully structured localisation programme, would this even have to be put to the Chinese?
YK
Бориз
1. cc M R
ART
23/12"
I am all for discussing
Principal officials et with the
No Shone Chinese, and soon (But after
the aurat 5 art of the way). Civil servents need to know
w Ricketts
The lekking telegram
where they stand.
was not much help. 2. Mu Stoya 2316 I think that we wo have to discuss
Mot...
Thanks.
тра
M
I am sure Hal
Mar Patte is
23/vi
Serious about pusking this.
a
wh the Chunere any acceleration of the localisation policy, but I agree that suct a discursion may be the best way to secuing proper provision for HMOCS officers where they choose to stay or to leave on this point.
CONFIDENTIAL
If we can sweep up MMOCs a te same discussion, tant mieux
Zeek
Mar
22/m2.
2216