Mr Ham
HKD 226/14
PS/Mr Goodad
Private Secretary
CONFIDENTIAL
€75
FROM: P F Ricketts
Hong Kong Dept
DATE: 20 July 1992
CC
(complete sets):
PS (x2)
Mr Hum
Mr Cornish, News Dept
SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG, 26-28 JULY 1992
1.
2.
I submit briefing for this visit.
The Secretary of State last visited Hong Kong in September 1991, with the Prime Minister. This will be his fourth visit as Secretary of State. A copy of the current version of the programme is attached.
3.
The main purpose of this short visit is to provide an early opportunity to discuss with the new Governor (and his policy team), and political and business leaders in Hong Kong, the key political issues which will require decision in the next six months. The two main sets of issues are the role and composition of ExCo and its relations with LegCo; and the package of arrangements for the 1995 LegCo elections including the number of directly-elected seats. The Governor has just sent his preliminary ideas for discussion at the Governor's Working Supper on 26 July (I will be submitting separately a commentary and checklist which will slot in as Brief No.1).
4.
The secondary aim of the visit is for the Secretary of State to get out and about (as the Governor has been doing), seeing developments on the ground for himself and listening to a wide range of Hong Kong opinion. To this end, there is a visit to the Container Terminal at Kwai Chung (with a meeting with Li Ka Shing), and a tour of a District and new housing development, (Brief No.2). Then a Lunch at the Senior British Trade Commissioner's residence with local and British businessmen gives a chance to tap into the concerns of the business community (Brief No 3). (There will be scope for a private word with Mr David Markham and Mr William Lau in the margins).
CONFIDENTIAL