UNCLASSIFIED

002366

MDLIAN 2484

THAT THE HKG WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HK UP TO 1997. CHINA'S APPOINTMENT OF ADVISERS WOULD NOT AMOUNT TO A CHALLENGE TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF HKG. IN A MEDIA INTERVIEW, MR QIAN REJECTED SUGGESTIONS THAT CHINA WAS USING THE RTHK ISSUE AND THE BUDGET TO INTERFERE IN HK AFFAIRS. HE MAINTAINED THAT MATTERS CONCERNING THE HKSAR SHOULD BE DISCUSSED BY BOTH SIDES. HE SAID THE HK AFFAIRS ADVISERS WAS NOT A CENTRE OF POWER. CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN WU JIANMIN SAID (13.3) THAT MR QIAN'S VISIT HAD IMPROVED SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS AND BENEFITED HK'S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.

JLG

9. MING PAO REPORTED THAT THE COMING ROUND OF JLG TALKS WOULD LAST FOR THREE DAYS STARTING FROM NEXT TUESDAY. THE PAPER EXPECTED THAT THE QUESTION CONCERNING EXPATRIATES' RIGHT OF ABODE IN HK WOULD ACHIEVE GREATER PROGRESS THAN OTHER QUESTIONS (17.3). THE EXPRESS, QUOTING RELIABLE SOURCES, SAID ON THE USE OF MILITARY LANDS, THE CHINESE WOULD MAKE SOME CONCESSION AND AGREE TO MOVE HMS TAMAR TO STONECUTTERS ISLAND, BUT OTHER ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEM WOULD REQUIRE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS.

UK ELECTION

10. THE MEDIA REPORTED IN PROMINENT COVERAGE THAT THE PRIME

MINISTER HAD ANNOUNCED THE BRITISH GENERAL ELECTION TO TAKE PLACE ON 9 APRIL. SOME REPORTS NOTED MR MAJOR SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT ABOUT WINNING THE GENERAL ELECTION. (12.3).

WILSON

YYYY

MAIN

56

.HONG KONG AGREEMENT

. (RESTRICTED)

HKD

PUSD

FED//HD

LEGAL ADVISERS//MS BARRETT

.AND MS BROOKS

~~~~

DISTRIBUTION

56

NEWS D

PLANNERS

RAD

PS/LORD CAITHNESS PS/MR LENNOX-BOYD

SIR J COLES

MR BURNS

PAGE 3 UNCLASSIFIED

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