HONG KONG: ANNOTATED AGENDA
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
Reactions to publication of the Governor's legislation:
LegCo groups, wider community in Hong Kong; business community, China.
Chinese options:
-
Propaganda barrage only, or further measures against Hong Kong (eg announcement about preparing separate arrangements for 1997)?
Rule out talks on electoral issues, or resume after an interval?
Non-cooperation across the board (including
British commercial interests) or limit the row to political relations over Hong Kong?
Constraints on Chinese behaviour:
Clinton,
economic damage to Hong Kong, public opinion.
Decisions for us and the Governor:
- When to introduce draft legislation into LegCo?
Line for use publicly and with Chinese.
- Handling of LegCo: should we be encouraging would-be amenders to clear lines with China? Prospects for LegCo debate.
Handling the Chinese: anything we can do to promote resumption of discussions? Informal channels? Timing/content of a meeting with Qian?
Longer-term implications of return to confrontation:
Airport.
JLG.
- Other Chinese pressure points (eg contracts and
franchises).
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