CONFIDENTIAL
2
from Peking. In describing the situation the Governor had also noted the various outstanding invitations to groups of Hong Kong people to visit Peking and the increasing number of references to a meeting of the National People's Congress
in May or June, and to the possibility that action might be
taken to amend Article 31 of the Constitution.
3.
Continuing, the Governor said that with the Ambassador present Ministers had naturally wished to review the state
of the talks. Members would be aware that these were going
slowly. The Chinese Foreign Minister had said publicly some
weeks ago that they were only at the procedural stage and had
not yet got on to substance. This was in fact the case
though the procedural issues discussed had their background in substance. The Governor said that Ministers wished to make progress and the Ambassador had returned to Peking with instructions to make a further strong effort to move the
talks into the substantive phase.
4.
The Governor said that Ministers had also reviewed
what was being done to counter the Chinese campaign. In view of the new instructions given to the Ambassador, and of the fact that the Chinese had somewhat muted their campaign in recent weeks they had concluded that the present low profile should be maintained for the time being. But a close watch would be kept on what the Chinese said and did, particularly in relation to the meeting of the National People's Congress.
5.
Concluding his account of the discussions with the Prime Minister the Governor said that despite speculation to the contrary in the press there was no change in HMG's objectives, and the British negotiating position was still
well within the UMELCO formula.
CONFIDENTIAL
..6. ../
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.