TNAG-1503-FCO40-2061-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station-project-at-Daya-Bay-safety-c-1986 — Page 132

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CONFIDENTIAL

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hoe both of us in the next few years.

-

Similarly

on the mainland there was considerable ignorance

or suspicion of Hong Kong. There was a tendancy

to assume that, with the signature of the Joint Declaration,

all problems were over. In Li's view we should have

to work harder, not less hard as the transition proceeded.

The PA's Office and NCNA would have to stay in even closer touch in the next few years.

Visits

(e)

Asked whether he had any magic recipe Li said he

had not. More visits might be the answer but there

were obvious dangers of intrusive flag flying by senior officials in Hong Kong. This was a difficult

balance to strike.

General Election

(£)

We had a brief exchange on the approach of the general election in the UK and what it portended. I pointed

out that both main parties were dedicated to the welfare of Hong Kong and to the continuing improvement in Sino British relations. Li asked (interestingly) whether the Labour party might not have a greater interest in pushing direct elections.

Basic Law

(g)

I said that we had no desire to interfere but if

further mainland groups were coming to Hong Kong and wanted to hear the picture as seen from within the administration, our doors were open. He took

note.

Gurkha Soldier

(h)

I thanked Li again for the rapid handling of this

by the Chinese.

CONFIDENTIAL

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