CONFIDENTIAL
010534
MDLIAN 7785
APPROACH IN DEALING WITH THE CHINESE ON AMENDMENTS TO THE SIX
ORDINANCES SUBJECT TO THE FREEZE. THIS WAS AGREED TO IN PEKING TELNO 5 AND YOUR TELNO 35. IN THE CASE OF THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE, WE PROPOSE THAT WE SHOULD BRIEF THE CHINESE SIDE ABOUT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS IN AN INFORMAL LOW KEY MANNER AFTER THEY
HAVE BEEN AGREED BY EXCO BUT BEFORE THEIR INTRODUCTION INTO LEGCO. WE WILL CAREFULLY EXPLAIN TO THE CHINESE THAT THE AMENDMENTS WILL NOT, IN OUR VIEW, DIMINISH OUR ABILITY TO PROHIBIT SOCIETIES WHICH ARE SUBVERSIVE OR UNDESIRABLE. WE ARE
PREPARING THE AMENDMENT BILL AND INTEND TO SUBMIT IT TO THE
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN MARCH.
9. GRATEFUL TO KNOW IF YOU OR PEKING HAVE ANY COMMENTS AT THIS
STAGE ON THE PROPOSALS AS SET OUT ABOVE.
WILSON
YYYY
DISTRIBUTION
64
MAIN
60
.HONG KONG AGREEMENT
.(RESTRICTED)
RAD
LIMITED
HKD
PUSD
HD/FED
NEWS D
ADDITIONAL
4
PLANNERS
PS/LORD CAITHNESS
PS/MR LENNOX-BOYD
SIR J COLES
MR BURNS
MS BARRETT LEGAL ADVISERS
MISS BROOKS LEGAL ADVISERS
MISS NEVILLE-JONES CAB OFFICE
SIR P CRADOCK NO.10
NNNN
3
PAGE CONFIDENTIAL