TNAG-1468-FCO40-1997-Visits-by-members-of-the-Office-of-the-Unofficial-Members-of-1986 — Page 17

Dear Charles,

CONFIDENTIAL

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

9 September 1986

Hong Kong:

Call by the Governor

and Members of the Executive Council

Please refer to my letter of 8 September, enclosing briefing for tomorrow's call on the Prime Minister by the Governor and members of the Executive Council of Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong delegation called on Mr Renton today for a long and useful discussion which continued over lunch. No major points were raised which are not fully covered in the Prime Minister's briefing. It is likely however that in describing to the Prime Minister the state of confidence in Hong Kong the delegation may refer to the functioning of the new Legislative Council, the first to contain an indirectly elected element, since its election in September 1985. In general it has settled down well and functioned smoothly. But the controversy over the Daya Bay nuclear project has led to more outspoken behaviour on the part of a minority of members which might cause some misgivings both in Peking and among some Hong Kong people about the possible implications of introducing directly elected members into the council in 1988.

There was a long discussion of the Daya Bay project, and Mr Renton described the Government's position. It will however no doubt still be helpful if the Prime Minister can revert to this along the lines of her brief. Otherwise discussion is likely to concentrate on the constitutional issues covered in paragraphs 4-7 of the brief.

I enclose the draft of a press statement which might be issued at the conclusion of the meeting. We have discussed it informally with the Governor. The delegation are likely to attach particular importance to the assurances contained in the paragraph on Daya Bay, which has been cleared as necessary with other Whitehall Departments.

CONFIDENTIAL

/As