TNAG-1626-FCO40-2240-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macau-1987 — Page 141

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4.

Valerio said that the working group had been working on the basis of the Hong Kong Joint Declaration text. They had, however, so far considered only the JD itself and not the Annexes. There was thus a great deal of work still to be done. The Chinese had told him that they would like to reach agreement in time for the full session of the NPC to be held in the Spring. But the Portuguese thought this an impossible task. (It is perhaps interesting that Zhao Jihua, who leads the Chinese working group team, told me separately during John Boyd's visit that the Chinese were hopeful of reaching an agreement within 6 months. This could suggest that the Chinese realise that agreement before the NPC plenary is unlikely.) The Chinese also seemed to be insisting that a draft agreement must be submitted to the full NPC before signature (unlike the Hong Kong JD). This procedure would cause the

Portuguese some difficulty as well as effectively short- ening the transition by one year (by delaying

conclusion of an agreement until after submission to the 1988 NPC).

5.

Valerio said that the indications were that

the Chinese would agree to expatriates serving to a higher level in the Civil Service in Macau than had been agreed for Hong Kong. In connection with constitutional arrangements, he commented on the problem of the absence of any political tradition in Macau. He also asked about the significance of the Secretary of State's two visits during the Hong Kong negotiations: we explained the role and achievements of those two visits in general terms.

Your ever, Vand

D G Blunt

cc: J D I Boyd Esq CMG

Political Adviser Hong Kong

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