TNAG-1633-FCO40-2249-Ministerial-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong--including-visit-1988 — Page 86

1987-09-14 17:54 COMMS. OFFICE (GOV'T HSE)

852 5 845 0995

P.03

(D)

Ove. surihet.

Criticism that Green Paper goes against Joint Declaration.

Line to Take: Green P per taken full account of our obligations under the Joint Declaration. We look to smooth transition to post 1997 arrangements and will do everything we can to achieve it. Sure that Chinese Government are equally committed to Joint Declaration and have same objectives.

(E) HMG's stand if survey exercise shows clear majority of HK people

support introduction of direct elections next year.

Line to Take: Premature to speculate on outcome. Decision on future political development will have regard to following factors: best interest of HK, full account to be taken of views

of HK people, and provisions of Joint Declaration.

i

;

::. .