TNAG-1355-FCO40-1796-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 132

CONFIDENTIAL

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But officials in Peking were apparently suspicious that it was another clever British move to consolidate the "internationalisation of Hong Kong" as a means to shift autonomy towards virtual independence. Miss TAM naturally sought to allay their suspicions.

This is not very important in itself. But it is another illustration of the need to educate the Chinese in Peking of the realities of life in Hong Kong and thus of trying to inveigle the Hong Kong and Macau Office into a much closer informal relationship with the Embassy to provide a channel through which these suspicions can come quickly to our notice and, to the extent possible, be dispelled.

in Peking.

I am sending a copy of this letter to Richard Evans

Sir Richard Evans KCMG

PEKING

ши

Joms

Body

Governor

Se day

me des

frimer based in

If wit be

Another way!

CC:

CONFIDENTIAL