TNAG-1623-FCO40-2237-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1987 — Page 64

G.F. 326

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5.

(a) Request for Permission for PRC Goods Vehicles to

enter Hong Kong

s for T reported that the various implications were still

under study, and that recommendations would be put to the

next CRC meeting. C for T would also raise the issue

during the forthcoming visit to Guangdong. PAS(S)O said

that the Shenzhen authorities had been given a holding

reply, but were expected to apply further pressure.

SITUATION IN CHINA (Paper 11/87)

6.

7.

PA said that in the last few weeks there had been a slight

move in favour of the "reformists". The balance of press stories had shifted in favour of political reform. There

were now fewer references to the views of Peng Zhen and

Chen Yun. Even Bo Yibo, well known as a "conservative",

had made a number of "reformist" comments. Discussions

in Beidaihe over the summer would lay the ground for the

Party Congress in the autumn. Despite Deng Xiaoping's expressed wish to "half retire", it was difficult to see how he could do so. If he left the Politburo Standing

Committee, the Party Constitution would require amendment

for him to remain Chairman of either the Central Military

Commission or the Central Advisory Commission. In answer

to CS, PA said that no firm dates for the Party Congress

had been announced. This followed the usual practice.

The Secretary pointed out that provincial representatives to the Congress had been chosen or were in the process of

being chosen.

S for T asked how far political reforms would go. PA said he was a little surprised, after events in the early part of the year, that talk of political reform had become so prominent again so soon. However, he did not envisage big changes, but rather changes of attitude and style. main aims were to bring on younger and better qualified

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