TNAG-1748-FCO40-2467-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1988 — Page 92

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WOZAFZ(2)

CONFIDENTIAL

VISIT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO HONG KONG: 29-31 MAY 1988

BRIEF NO 10: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION

Objectives

1. To reaffirm HMG's commitment to the full and faithful implementation of the Joint Declaration.

2. To thank the Hong Kong Government for their contribution to the work of the Joint Liaison Group (JLG).

Points to make

JOINT DECLARATION/JLG

[With Governor, officials and ExCol

Most grateful for enormous contribution of Hong Kong Government to implementation of Joint Declaration and work of Joint Liaison

Group.

Hong Kong Government's expertise invaluable over wide range

of issues. JLG work handled with exemplary efficiency.

Note JLG has a number of sensitive and difficult issues before

it at present

Will need

patience to resolve them. But past experience offers hope that Chinese will take pragmatic decisions in due course.

Conscious that there is still much work to be done in JLG

before 1997. We are committed to giving it all necessary priority.

Views in Hong Kong on likely progress in next few months?

[For general use]

Happy to restate HMG's commitment to full and faithful implementation of Joint Declaration. Co-operation over this task and shared determination to achieve smooth transition in 1997 lie at

heart of our relations with China.

No question of choice being made between interests of Hong Kong and good relations between Britain and China. Fully committed to upholding Hong Kong's interests.

CONFIDENTIAL

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