TNAG-1748-FCO40-2467-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1988 — Page 96

CONFIDENTIAL

the outset.

understandable given that they will not have the support which will

be available to the British side's Office through the Hong Kong

Government. Ambassador Ke Zaishuo will be based in Hong Kong from

Hong Kong people may question the apparent imbalance

between the two offices, but we have agreed with the Hong Kong Government that this is unlikely to give rise to particular

problems. There will probably be a flurry of public and media

interest on and around 1 July, but we anticipate that this will

decline as the JLG settles into a routine.

7. We are currently discussing arrangements with the Chinese side

for marking the opening of the two side's offices on 1 July. These

will include a meeting between Mr McLaren and Ambassador Ke to

discuss current JLG matters; and a cocktail reception jointly hosted

by the two sides.

CONFIDENTIAL