TNAG-1443-FCO40-1927-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 11

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number of sensitive

issues.

Не could find pretexts for

these visits, but doubts whether such pretexts would be believed in Hong Kong or indeed are really necessary.

9.

I take the Governor's point that his visit to Peking

a useful channel for detailed

There was no adverse

in August opened up

-

indeed rather the

of

discussion of constitutional issues.

reaction in Hong Kong to his visit

opposite. But I wonder whether a schedule of such frequent

and regular visits as he proposes for next year might not

come to be directly linked in Hong Kong minds with stages

in the 1987 review, and to give an impression

undesirably close and regular consultation on issues which

should be determined by the Hong Kong people. While it is

now generally accepted and understood in Hong Kong that

there is contact between the British and Chinese

Governments over issues arising from the 1987 review and

the drafting of the Basic Law, it might still be

misunderstood if the Governor appeared to travel to Peking

V for "consultations" almost as frequently as he did to

London. Moreover the Chinese, while making full use of the

channel offered by the Governor's visits, will of course

see the main line of communication as joining Peking and

London.

C D

Ꭰ

A

10.

Sir P Evans'

comments betray, between the lines, some

concern that his position could be undercut by too frequent

visits from the Governor.

We do not wish to give the

impression that we are cutting out the Ambassador from the

dialogue. Nevertheless I do not think he

think he can insist, as he

appears to do in Peking telno 2067, that a visit by the

Governor cannot take place if he is away on leave: a chargé

d'affaires is just as much the

the British Government in Peking.

official

representative of

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