TNAG-1443-FCO40-1927-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 66

34.

Chinese

SEE commENTS ON

TELEGRAM

my comments tiky. $531-33

$31-33. Mached) (Relevant

| CONFIDENTIAL

We must continue and

intensify

all on

the issues connected

our exchanges with

We with "convergence"

the

must

emphasise why the 1987 review must be seen to be genuine and open, with both the British and Chinese Governments keeping an

open mind

over the outcome. We must seek to create conditions of trust within

which problems can be discussed and solved.

35.

Until

we

But

the state of opinion in Hong Kong crystallises, cannot foresee precisely how these problems might be tackled. the closer Our informal dialogue with the Chinese on all the issues connected with "convergence" and the Basic Law, the better will be our chances of finding a way forward which will at least reduce the dimensions of the problems involved and present an

will

maintain

confidence

negotiated successfully.

that

the transition

outcome

which

to

1997

can be

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

October

1986

CONFIDENTIAL