TNAG-1597-FCO40-2182-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1987 — Page 93

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FROM: D H Gillmore

CC:

W37 270 2156 21 January 1987 Sir D Wilson Mr Fifoot, Legal

Advisers

Mr Sullivan, FED

[HONG KONG: 1987 REVIEW OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT: STRATEGY]

1.

This issue is, by far, the most sensitive and difficult on the Hong Kong agenda for 1987/88. Recent developments in Peking are unlikely to make its handling any easier (paragraph 5 of the paper.)

2.

a.

b.

There are two main issues:

Timing. Of the options set out in paragraphs 10 to 14, the proposal for limited delay in publication of the White (but not the Green) Paper is clearly right, although how far the December 1987 BLDC meeting will provide a clear and reliable indicator of Chinese thinking remains to be seen.

Mr

Timetable of contacts. I agree that the programme outlined in paragraph 19 is on the right lines (in particular, I hope that it will be possible for the Secretary of State to meet Wu Xueqian in March and April, and that we can avoid discussions of the subject with Zhou Nan). The Secretary of State's good personal relations with Wu are likely to be a crucial element in our strategy. The amount of advance notice we give to the Chinese on the Green Paper is an argument of fine balance. Hum's proposals in paragraphs 20 to 29 of the Paper seem right, but can perhaps be reviewed again nearer the time in the light of the Secretary of State's discussions with Wu.

3. As Mr Hum says, it is impossible at this stage accurately to predict the outcome of the Review. But the range of possibilities set out in paragraph 25 provides useful preliminary indicators. From the UK point of view, something on the lines of (iii) might offer the best way through the thicket. But we can by no means be sure that, in Hong Kong terms, the outcome of the Review will provide sufficient basis to justify such a tactic.

Whittle...

A well propand pap D H Gillmore

I hope we can

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estonit quickly whether he s/s

Mark / Apni I suspect the anteme

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grew work at his Mgr.

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Cam Fle

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tu Review

Review will be 2

will be 25 (iv) but that is

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