G. F. 316
SECRET 高度機密
UK
challenge.
Rep said that if the package was presented as a fait accompli, the Chinese would feel compelled to denounce it. The Governor referred to HMG's commitment to raise the question of pace of democracy with China and wondered how we could come up with a credible package without incurring the sort of feared reaction from the Chinese. UK Rep said that it
was not a question of substance of our proposals but one of presentation. Instead of stating a fixed view the EC, we could indicate a strong preference for a
democratic EC and this should not undermine HMG's
commitment in this respect.
on
5.
put
SCA said that it should be possible for us to
forward
credible a
package but still with sufficient room for manoeuvre. Since discussion with Chinese was likely to be inconclusive and we would eventually have to take unilateral action, it would be wise to avoid giving the Chinese a convenient excuse
to attack us for
them.
reneging on our promise to consult While it should be possible for us to rally public support for our proposals, attacks by the Chinese on our insincerity in consultation would
severely undermine our efforts. After some further discussion, the Governor outlined the sort of approach he would adopt in his address i.e. while giving a clear indication of his proposals, he would mention the need to take into account the views of the present
and future sovereign powers (in addition to, of course, the views of the HK community). The meeting agreed that this would provide the flexibility required for our discussion with the chinese.
SECRET #2