TNAG-1373-FCO40-1819-Ministerial-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 19

SUNAAB

MR RENTON'S VISIT TO HONG KONG (27 - 31 OCTOBER 1985)

1. STEERING BRIEF

1.

Mr Renton will visit Hong Kong, arriving on Sunday 27 October and leaving on the morning of Thursday 31 October.

OBJECTS OF THE VISIT

2.

The objects of the visit are to enable Mr Renton:

a) to meet a wide Cross section of people in Hong Kong and hear

their views on current issues:

b) to attend the opening of the first Legislative Council session

with elected members and in its new building (the former Supreme Court):

c)

3.

to discuss major issues with the Governor, the Executive

Council, and senior officials of the Hong Kong Government.

In general Mr Renton will find that people in Hong Kong will be seeking

reassurance about HMG's commitment to the territory up

up to

1997 and that it will not lose interest thereafter. They will look

for signs that HMG will strike the right balance between consulting

the Chinese on major issues, while standing up to the Chinese in

defence of Hong Kong's interests and avoiding erosion of the

principle that up to 1997 the administration of Hong Kong is HMG's responsibility. There is anxiety that, the Joint Declaration having been signed, the interests of Hong Kong will be given reduced priority in Minister.' attention. There is continuing

particular issues such as on natitonality and passport questions

(see below).

4.

concern on

Apart from discussion with the Governor and senior officials,

Mr Renton's main meeting

substance will be with the Executive

of