CONFIDEN TIAL
Kong
should have.
Government's views. on
We have
a t
present no idea what the Chinese
how this consutlative process will be carried
should be.
We are not seeking to
to them that these matters are now
out and exactly what its scope
rush them but it must be
obvious
of very great interest in Hong Kong.
12. We recognise that there can be
these decisions should not be taken
and wide consultation.
debate proceeds
in
pre-conceived ideas.
no early decisions and indeed
without care ful consideration
During the next year or So,
while this
Hong Kong, neither Government should adopt
Both inside and outside the BLDC and BLCC,
there will be a considerable ferment of ideas about Hong Kong's
The British side will not be formenting
structure of
government.
this debate: it will happen naturally. The results of September's
LEGCO elections and the short experience thus far of the new LEGCO,
indicate that this debate will be open, sincere and responsible.
13.
As we said at JLG, we are
interested in
a genuine two-way
dialogue. Believe this is best conducted in formally and quietly to
avoid either side adopting en trenched positions. Hope that the Chinese side will share wit us any preliminary thoughts they might
have in this area SO that there can be
a constructive exchange of
views based on direct knowledge of each other's
other's thinking. Hope that
JLG will already have helped reassure Chinese We have explained our thinking frankly to Chinese side.
Each side should be frank with the other about how their ideas are
developing.
discussion
Government.
14.
in
There must be trust between us. We had hoped that this had
been established when Deng told the Secretary of State in July 1984 that Chinese had highest trust in Prime Minister/Secretary of State. We are therefore particularly disturbed at recent signs of
signs of Chinese
mistrust of our motives.
May be helpful if I make
15.
seeking to
economic
in
some things clear. Britain
make a profit out
of Hong Kong, and
interests is not our first concern. Nor
left wing press
Hong Kong some times suggest,
Our proxy pro-British adminstration after 1997.
is not
protection
of
our
are we
trying,
as
to leave behind a
first concern
is
to
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