TNAG-1343-FCO40-1773-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Beijing-fo-1984 — Page 17

CONFIDENTIAL

PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO CHINA AND HONG KONG:

18-21 DECEMBER 1984

HONG KONG

BRIEF NO 2:

MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL: SUPPLEMENTARY BRIEF

FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

BACKGROUND

A: GENERAL

1. EXCO will expect be looking forward to a full briefing on the Prime Minister's discussions with Chinese leaders (the Secretary of

State's statement will have to be drafted once those discussions

have taken place). They will in particular wish to know how the points they put to Ministers in London have been raised with Chinese

leaders.

2.

The Unofficials main concerns were set out in the UMELCO

statement of 29 November (attached) and in Sir S Y Chung's speaking note for the meeting with the Prime Minister on 5 December

(attached). Essentially these concerns are:

(a) China's implementation of the agreement.

(b)

the British commitment to Hong Kong. During their lobbying

visit to London the UMELCO delegation proposed the idea of an annual parliamentary debate or an annual report to Parliament. The idea received some support in Parliament, but Ministers

were non-committal.

(c)

(d)

drafting of the Basic Law. The Unofficials are anxious that there should be actual participation by Hong Kong people

in drafting process.

incompatibility between the Basic Law and the Chinese constitution. (Miss Maria Tam is particularly concerned about

this point). As the Chinese will be drafting the Baric Law, we

believe it is inconceivable that they would make it

incompatible with their own constitution. The Basic Law is likely to make it clear which aspects of the Chinese

CONFIDENTIAL