TNAG-1468-FCO40-1997-Visits-by-members-of-the-Office-of-the-Unofficial-Members-of-1986 — Page 19

JA4AZS

CONFIDENTIAL

CALL ON THE PRIME MINISTER BY THE GOVERNOR AND MEMBERS OF THE

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG

Draft Press Statement

1.

The Prime Minister had a meeting this afternoon with the

Governor and Members of the Executive Council of Hong Kong. The

Minister of State at the FCO with

the FCO with responsibility for Hong Kong, Mr

Tim Renton, was also present.

2.

on

The meeting reviewed developments in Hong Kong since Prime Minister's visit to the territory in December

December 1984 and the

ratification in May 1985 of the Sino-British Joint Declaration

the question of Hong Kong.

The Prime Minister expressed appreciation of the continuing close consultation between Ministers and the Executive Council of Hong Kong, and of the valuable role

played by

of the Council in tendering advice and in

representing the views and interests of the Hong Kong people.

3.

Members

The meeting expressed pleasure at the progress achieved in implementing the Joint Declaration over the 15 months since it came into effect. They noted with particular satisfaction the positive achievements of the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group, which has now held four meetings, and of the Land Commission, which has now met on

ten occasions.

4.

The Members of the Council stressed to the Prime Minister the

importance of the Review of representative government to be conducted by the Hong Kong Government in 1987. The Prime Minister

reaffirmed the British Government's commitment to the 1987 Review,

and confirmed that full account would be taken of the views of the people of Hong Kong when drawing conclusions from the Review.

CONFIDENTIAL