follows:
SECRET AND PERSONAL
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pro
no disruption to the system. The Governor
would be seen from the outset to be relying on the
Hong Kong administration for the full range of his dealings with London and with China. This would minimise the impression of London "taking over";
S
con The new Governor would be entirely in the
hands of his Hong Kong administration.Ministers would
need to accept that when they sought the Governor's advice, this would in almost all cases be drafted by Hong Kong civil servants (except in the case of
relations with China, where the PA could be involved).
It might however be possible to ensure that one of the
Governor's Private Secretaries had had previous
experience as a seconded officer in the FCO and hence would be familiar with FCO telegram practice.
(ii) An enhanced Private Office. The Governor would bring
into the Private Office a UK-based official to handle
relations with London, and possibly other issues. There would be a spectrum of possible options ranging from a DS 5 Private Secretary, who would mainly be
concerned to manage the paper flow with London,
through a Counsellor DS 4 with a broader remit to a
senior grade "Diplomatic Adviser" who would act as a
policy adviser to the Governor, attend ExCo meetings
and possibly take on wider roles such as co-ordinating the overall British interest in Hong Kong, ie,
liaising with the Senior British Trade Commissioner
and the Senior Representative on the Joint Liaison
Group.
pro there would be a UK official (possibly a senior
one) close to the Governor to advise and help him on issues of particular interest to HMG. Ministers could communicate with the Governor if necessary via a
SUNACZ/4
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and. The of
Ak mich.
SECRET AND PERSONAL