TNAG-1284-FCO40-1636-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 20

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2 possibility of making a concession on a joint group in Hong Kong

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but that we need to examine in the first place what return we

could expect from the Chinese for this and when such a move might

5 most profitably be made.

6

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5.

I am conscious that these are all finely balanced questions

to which we need to give very careful consideration. I am

8 aware too of the Governor's concern that we should not give away

9 too much of our freedom of manoeuvre on questions in Hong Kong

10 before 1997, by explicit consultation with the Chinese. On the

11 other hand we need to take very seriously into account the

12 difficulties which would arise if we tried to go ahead with

13 significant constitutional changes against the declared

14 opposition of the Chinese Government. We also need to discuss

15 how we should best take our strategy for the negotiation forward, 16 with thes questions and with the progress of the working group 17 in mind, taking into account also the need to keep EXCO with us.

18 On balance I believe that there would be advantage in my paying

19 a visit to Peking at the end of July in order to take up a

20 number of key questions and to give the fairest wind to the final

21 stage of discussions on the agreement.

22 6. I should therefore very much value the opportunity of a

23 discussion with yourself and with the Governor soon. I think

24 we should complete this before the 18th round of talks and before

25 the publication of the Green Paper. I should be grateful if you

26 and the Governor would make provisional arrangements to return to

27 London for discussions for two or three days from 4 July. I

28 shall telegraph further on this after the Ministerial discussions

29 on 27 June. I realise that it is difficult for the Governor to be

and Sir I Bremridge

30

away,

31 HOWE

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with Sir P. Haddm-Cave

and

I am oure

in the UK, but I am grund in two days.

we could could much

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