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combine participation in the Group with other, concurrent functions. It would be appropriate for the Group to be led by a London based official. For reasons of substance and presentation there will need to be Hong Kong representation. To ensure that the Embassy in Peking is fully informed about work in the Group, and hence able to conduct the necessary consultations between rounds, an Embassy representative should be a member of the Group. This suggests the following line up:
Delegation Leader: AUSS( Asia) FCO
Secretary (General Duties) Hong Kong Government
Political Adviser, Hong Kong
Head of Hong Kong Department, FCO
Counsellor, British Embassy, Peking
Depending on the content of particualr meetings it may be necessary to have other advisers present, particularly legal advisers. They can be brought in as experts.
To
16.
After 1 July 1988, when the Group will have its principal base in Hong Kong, the Chinese representative and at least some of the other members of the chinese side will no doubt be resident in The workload of the Group will gradually increase. Hong Kong. handle the more sustained mode of consultation which will almost certainly evolve and to match the chinese presence it will be necessary for at least certain members of the British side to be resident in Hong Kong as well. The exact configuration will depend on the development of the Group's work over the first 3 years. possible line up for the British side might then involve replacing the AUSS (Asia) as delegation leader by a resident British representative of ambassadorial rank, belonging to the senior grades. in the FCO. He would also have resident supporting staff (see
below).
(d) SUPPORTING STAFF
A
17. During the peripatetic phase of the Group's existence most supporting staff for the British side can be provided locally t the venue of each of the Group's meetings. The necessary advisers and
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