TNAG-1258-FCO40-1591-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 151

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practical arrangements for Hong Kong after 1997. But they maintained that only where 'British interests' were not

not directly involved could there be detailed discussions.

5.

There was some discussion of Hong Kong's legal and financial systems. The Chinese said that in keeping with their general proposals for Hong Kong, both would be basically

unchanged. But there are signs that they still see the road to further progress in the talks in terms of agreement on principles

rather than substantive discussion of details and practicalit-

ackle ies. We stressed the need to fill in details if:-

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confidence and continuity in Hong Kong were to be sustained in the long-term semi colon

(b)

we, and subsequently Parliament, were to form a considered view of the overall package of Chinese proposals semi colon

(c) both sides were to reach arrangements for Hong Kong which

1; would fulfil the agreed common aim of the talks

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Although the Chinese showed Limited understanding of our

arguments, we have managed to put over a fair amount of detailed

material and to press the case for pragmatic consideration of

specific areas of administration. HMA Peking will continue to

probe the Chinese position informally to help us to asses S

approach to the next round.-

our

HOWE

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