TNAG-1420-FCO40-1903-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1985 — Page 83

[ME 3ADF]

CONFIDENTIAL

CALL ON THE PUS BY

THE PUS BY PROFESSOR STUART HARRIS, SECRTARY OF THE

AUSTRALIAN DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: 10 OCTOBER

Future of Hong Kong

Points to Make

General

1.

Since signing of Joint Declaration, confidence on increase in Hong Kong, borne out by territory's economic indicators (Hong Kong Stock Exchange Index).

2.

Next 12 years delicate. Hong Kong will need support

from friends.

Joint Liaison Group

3.

First meeting of Sino-British Joint Liaison Group held

in London in July. Encouraging start. Next meeting in Peking

in November.

Land Commission

4.

Land Commission meetings going very well.

being made.

Good progress

Basic Law

5.

Chinese have set up machinery for drafting the Basic Law for post 1997 Hong Kong. Progress being made.

BN(0) Passports

6.

From 1 July 1987 we shall be issuing BN(O) passports. Crucially important to confidence in Hong Kong and for success

of agreement that freedom of

Hong Kong's

continued economic

travel, which is vital

prosperity, is

to

maintained.

CONFIDENTIAL