SECRET AND PERSONAL
and other officials of the Hong Kong Government (HKG). He
chairs EXCO and the Governor's Security Committee. He
follows in detail the negotiations with China in the Joint
Liaison Group. The Chief Secretary is Head of the Civil
Service. But the Governor himself is heavily involved in the detailed, day-to-day administration of Hong Kong, as
well as carrying out extensive representational and
ceremonial duties.
4.
The Governor has also traditionally been the main
channel of communication with Ministers and the FCO.
Telegrams between HMG and Hong Kong go to and from the
Governor. This reflects the Secretary of State's
constitutional position under the Letters Patent, and also
the principle that the Governor is the source of official
advice from Hong Kong to Ministers on policy questions.
5.
But
Over the years, many parts of the Hong Kong
administration have developed their own direct contacts with
their Whitehall counterparts on technical matters.
Ministers and officials still seek the Governor's personal
views on a broad range of policy issues, particularly on
relations with China, and on the more sensitive aspects of
the administration of Hong Kong. We often exchange 20 or
more "personal" telegrams a week with the Governor, and often seek his advice on complex issues at very short
notice. (The Governor decides the distribution in Hong Kong
of personal telegrams, and normally approves, although does not draft the replies). In addition, for particularly sensitive matters, telegrams can be sent "strictly personal"
for the Governor. In this case, he deals with, and replies
to, the telegrams unaided.
MAIAAT/2
SECRET AND PERSONAL
/6.