HKCD 00/1
14 MAY 1992
OFFICER
(131)
REGISTRY
Cook by foux
218
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr Coates, Pelsing Mr Galsword Ukilep JCG
2. Mr Gym v
Саб
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Felv
Mr Buate MO13/5
From:
John Morris
PS/Mr C Patten
Mr Waldrow 13/5.
нко aoli
Mh Story 1315
RECEIVEDIK DE
14 MAY 1992
Mr Ricketts, HKD
ዛ ˞
Date:
8 May 1992
Cc:
PS/Mr Goodlad Sir John Coles
Mr Burns
Mr Davies, FED Mr Yaxley, HKGO
じ
1
CALL ON MR PATTEN BY THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR:
5 MAY
1.
Ambassador Ma called on Mr Patten accompanied by Counsellor Hu and Madame Jiang. During the call Ambassador Ma spoke on familiar lines about the importance of consultation over major matters straddling 1997 as well as of questions concerning the interests and rights of the future HKSARG. He stressed the importance of convergence and hoped that any changes that Mr Patten might be planning in present policies, legislation, systems of government or "in the framework of the Governor's Office" would not be too drastic. He also struck the familiar notes that provided sovereignty was returned, China wished Hong Kong to remain as prosperous after 1997 as now, "if not more so".
2.
He
He said that while we do not agree on everything we have the Joint Declaration and the Airport MOU to help us to resolve any problems which may arise in the future. emphasised the good wishes of the Chinese Government and the readiness of his colleagues, particularly Lu Ping and Zhou Nan, to work closely and "support" Mr Patten in his role as Governor. Mr Patten would be welcome to visit Peking as soon as was convenient.
3. Mr Patten said that while he brought only the talents of the political trade to the job, and would need to acquire a knowledge of Hong Kong during the next five years, the press had been wrong to suggest that he knew nothing of China and Hong Kong. He had visited twice as ODA Minister and negotiated the Second Concessional Finance Arrangement and the Technical Co-operation and Training Programme as well as working with the Chinese Delegates at the London Conference on CFCs. His objectives as Governor were simple: he hoped to govern Hong Kong justly and efficiently until 1997, hoped for as smooth a transfer as both Britain and China would wish to see, while maintaining confidence in Hong Kong, London and Peking. In doing that job he hoped to have as good a relationship with Ambassador Ma's colleagues in the
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CONFIDENTIAL