TNAG-1439-FCO40-1923-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 56

GSM I

CONFIDENTIAL

DRAFT

MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE CHINESE

FOREIGN MINISTER

1.

It is

now nearly a year since the Joint Declaration of our two Governments on the question of Hong Kong entered into force. Since then there have been regular and close

contacts between our two Governments on a wide range of

the Joint

Declaration. I have been delighted at the degree of warmth and cooperation which has characterised these contacts and

reached the positive agreements

matters

at

sure

relating

bodes this

to

the

implementation

well for the

prosperity of Hong Kong.

2=

of

on many issues.

continued stability

I am

and

I believe it would now be

now be most useful if you and I

could meet to review the developments that have taken place

since

in June last year.

I would welcome

an

meeting in our opportunity both to take stock of progress and to consider areas where cooperation between

future.

us

will be needed in the

I have in mind such matters as a review of the work done by the Joint Liaison Group and questions relating

to the future structure of Government.

an opportunity

3.

If, as I hope, you agree that a meeting would be

useful I wonder whether there might be

I understand that during your forthcoming tour in Europe.

It in Brussels on 22 and 23 May. you will be

is likely

take that other business will

that time. me there around

If it were convenient for you, I would arrange my visit to 23 coincide with your own,

talk. SO that we might have a May would be preferable for me, but the afternoon of 22 May

would also be possible.

CONFIDENTIAL