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HKG currently have a senior sinologist researcher from RAD (Mr Walker). HKG have suggested that his successor should serve 2 years (end '93 to end '95) with HKG and then move to the BTC as a member of the future BCG political team.
the next Deputy SBTC (due to take over in 1995) should be a fast stream DS4 who could also take on some political work in the mission.
with the completion of the new building, and the move of UKRep JLG into it, there should be some scope for consolidation between the two missions and their political work. The burden of political reporting on Hong Kong should transfer at that stage to the BTC. UKRep JLG may be very busy in the period immediately before and after 1997, and will in any case cease to exist in the year 2000. Coordination between these two missions will become more important in the years up to 1997.
But as
apart from UKREP JLG, the only other possible source of DS manpower already in Hong Kong to staff the future Chancery would be the DS4 Political Adviser and his DS5 Deputy. 1997 approaches, the Political Adviser's staff will increasingly be preoccupied with assisting the Governor with the final stage of British rule, (and are expected to move to Government House). They will therefore be seen in Chinese eyes as agents of the departing colonial authority. Better (symbolically) that they should leave Hong Kong with the Governor, and the BCG should draw its future chancery staff from other sources.
18. We shall also need to consider whether there should be a communications centre in the Consulate General immediately on occupation, running in parallel with the one in Government House until the departure of the Governor. This will have resource implications as it would mean setting up a communication centre in the BCG earlier than originally planned.
Hong Kong Department
4 January 1992
brief.consgen.BTC
JEB
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