TNAG-1356-FCO40-1797-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 54

334

GRS 400

CONFIDENTIAL

FM PEKING

TO DESKBY 2909COZ FCO

TELNO 1755

OF 290635Z NOV 95

INFO FLASH HONG KONG

CONFIDENTIAL

PA of

2 9 NOV 1985

HRROLL LL

DEIVED IN REGISTRY

FROM WILSON

NR

MIPT AND YOUR TELNO 1028: HONG KONG AGREEMENT: SECOND MEETING OF

THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP: REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT:

DEFENSIVE PRESS LINE

1. IN THE LIGHT OF TODAY'S DISCUSSION WE SHALL BE TAKING THE FOLLOWING LINE AS UNATTRIBUTABLE BRIEFING IN RESPONSE TO PRESS QUESTIONS. SUGGEST GIS HONG KONG FOLLOW:

(A) Q. WHAT WAS DISCUSSED?

A. THIS WAS AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS.

(B) Q. WHAT DID THE BRITISH SIDE SAY?

A. BRITISH SIDE EXPLAINED THE DEVELOPMENTS SET OUT IN THE WHITE

PAPER AND THEIR BACKGROUND.

(C) Q. DID THE CHINESE EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL

DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG?

A. DISCUSSION CONFIDENTIAL. ANYTHING ON THIS FOR THE CHINESE SIDE

TO SAY.

(D) Q.DID THE BRITISH SIDE GIVE THE CHINESE A VETO?

A. NO QUESTION OF THAT.

(E) Q. DID THE BRITISH SIDE UNDERTAKE TO CONDUCT A CONTINUING

CONSULTATION IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP?

A. TOO EARLY TO SAY WHEN FURTHER EXCHANGE OF VIEWS WILL BE

NECESSARY.

(F) Q. HOW DID THE CHINESE SIDE REACT TO THE BRITISH EXPLANATION

OF THE FACTS?

A. MATTER FOR THEM.

(G) Q. WILL THE BRITISH SIDE CONSULT THE CHINESE SIDE IN THE JLG

BEFORE THE 1987 REVIEW?

CONFIDENTIAL

A.