TNAG-1596-FCO40-2181-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 283

OCMIAN 3109

SECRET

PP PEKIN

FM FCOLN TO HOKON

080930Z MAY -

ORS 1100

SECRET

PM PCO

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

TELNO 1267

OF 080930Z MAY 87

INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING

SECRET

Наб Hib ailz

11 MAY 1937

53109

STRUCTURE OP GOVERNMENT: LONGER TERM ISSUES

1.

WE BELIEVE we need TO TAKE OUR THINKING FORWARD ON A NUMBER OF LONGER TERM ISSUES CONNECTED WITH THE STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT AND CONVERGENCE IN 1997. SO FAR WE HAVE TENDED TO POCUS ON SLIGHTLY PERIPHERAL ASPECTS, IN PARTICULAR WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A SPECIFIC POINT TO BE MADE TO THE CHINESE IN CONNECTION WITH THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW. BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT THE CHINESE ARE NOW LOOKING HARD AT THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES INVOLVED: IN SOME AREAS THEY ARE BEGINNING TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS TO US.

RELEVANT RECENT DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

2.

A)

B)

1

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10)

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