TNAG-1441-FCO40-1925-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 263

CONFIDENTIAL

Yes.

1. The papers on "convergence" and the state of Hong Kong

opinion in connection with the 1987 Review will be the most

important Hong Kong subject to be dealt with between Mr Renton

and Zhou Nan. I agree with Mr Hum that it would be right for

Mr Renton to take the initiative in referring to the possibility

of an informal visit by the Governor to Peking at the end of

August. This would provide a useful and practical way of

carrying the discussion forward; it would also help to pre-empt (but will not necessarily prevent) Chinese suggestions about

dealing with the matter at the next JLG meeting in July.

The

2. Further discussion in the JLG is a difficult issue.

Chinese would have a good deal of logic on their side in

suggesting that the JLG is the right forum for discussion of such an important subject. Our position (that Hong Kong

opinion would be particularly sensitive to such a discussion

in the JLG) is not a very strong one. It is based on views

which are held strongly in EXCO but which may not be held so

strongly by the public at large. EXCO suspicions about

Chinese use of the JLG do not make good arguments for use in

Peking. If the Chinese insist on discussion at the JLG, we

have little option but to concur. We have said in the past

that we do not rule out such discussion. More important, the

alternative of public confrontation on the issue would be very

damaging to Hong Kong.

3. During Mr Renton's meeting with Zhou Nan I agree that he should, if necessary, argue against discussion in a formal

session of the JLG. I do not recommend that he should put

forward the idea of discussions in the margins of the next

meeting. The margins at present are limited to social

occasions suitable only for the discussion of minor matters

of business. We could attempt to set up a separate meeting

of myself and Mr Ke. But this would be hard to distinguish

from a formal meeting of the JLG; furthermore its existence

might well leak. The disadvantages are therefore equal to

those of discussion in the JLG itself. Using a JLG umbrella

for meetings between myself and Ke on occasions separated from formal meetings of the JLG (eg as occurred recently in Brussels)

is another matter and not open to the same objections.

CONFIDENTIAL

14.