JA4AN F
CONFIDENTIAL
Background
1. Prime Minister last met Premier Zhao in Peking in
December 1984.
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Hong Kong agreement ratified on 27 May. Instruments exchanged in Peking.
Announcement on membership of Joint Liaison Group made on 21 May following agreement with Chinese to accept Eric Ho once he had been registered as a British citizen. First meeting likely to be in London in July. Still discussion about details of establishment of Land Commission.
Chinese National People's Congress decided in April to establish a Basic Law drafting committee which would include "personages and specialists from all walks of life including Hong Kong compatriots". Names are likely to be announced later in the year.
Partial elections to Hong Kong Legislative Council for the first time in September this year. Just short of half members will be elected by college consisting of directly elected representatives at District Board (lower tier administration) level, and by functional constituencies eg lawyers, trades union, doctors etc. Some
Some signs of Chinese anxiety about pace of reform. Further review of system in 1987 before 1988 elections.
Decisions on reducing garrison from five to four battalions known to be under consideration by us. Represents return to 1980
to 1980 levels, which Commander British Forces (CBF) considers justified following agreement, and is result of cancellation of expensive barracks project not now considered justified. Decision not yet taken in London, but case looks strong. Some signs of Chinese anxiety that we keep sufficient forces in Hong Kong to maintain order (cf Deng's frequently expressed anxiety about public order in Hong Kong.)
CBF Hong Kong gave interview to Hong Kong television on 9 May in which he mentioned possibility of establishing internal security force to assist police, and also referred to possible PLA presence in Hong Kong after 1997. Communist press in Hong
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