TNAG-1373-FCO40-1819-Ministerial-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 27

JH1AEA

CONFIDENTIAL

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

3. CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Points to make in public and to Hong Kong Government officials and UMELCO members

1.

Recent LEGCO elections an undoubted success. Important step forward in the steady evolution of representative government in Hong Kong. Aim is progress combined with stability, development of structures which preserve the best features of the institutions which have served Hong Kong well over the years.

DEFENSIVE

2.

(Will Chinese be consulted on development of representative government?)

Joint Declaration makes clear that Britain will be responsible for administration of Hong Kong between now and 1997. Developments SO far accord fully with structures foreseen in the Joint

Declaration.

(Joint Liaison Group to discuss developments?) Not under discussion in Joint Liaison

Group. As you know, Group's main task in its early years

is to ensure Hong Kong's continued participation

GATT, MFA and other international arrangements, and to

consider action to en sure continued application of international rights and obligations affecting Hong Kong.

3.

in

(How can it be ensured that

that Hong Kong Government's

development of representative government structures will be compatible with structures which will be stipulated in

the Basic Law?) Basic Law of course a matter for Chinese

Government.

But Chinese Government and Hong Kong

Government both have same starting point, the Joint Declaration, and same aim, stability and prosperity for a

CONFIDENTIAL