TNAG-1833-FCO40-2607-British-Council-in-Hong-Kong-after-1997-1988 — Page 8

ARZABF

Mr Payd

Thank you

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HILD 406/2

FROM: A R Paul

Hong Kong Department

7 March 1988

h

71 PATRICKWRIGHT

PS/PUS

DATE:

CC:

Mr Elam, CRD

FED

BRITISH COUNCIL IN HONG KONG

paw/%

1. In paragraph 4 of his minute of 1 March the PUS asked whether the future of our cultural presence in Hong Kong had ever played a part in our discussions with the Chinese.

2. The subject has so far not featured on the agenda of the JLG,

nor has it been raised in any other context. The British Council

are still considering what their position in Hong Kong should be after 1997 and until their thinking has firmed up it is too early to

say whether we will need to discuss the matter with the Chinese.

3.

The key question, about which the British Council remain

undecided, is whether their representative in Hong Kong post-1997

will require diplomatic status. Should this be the case we would

certainly need to speak to the Chinese. The Joint Declaration states that "foreign consular and other official or semi official

missions may be established in the Hong Kong SAR with the approval

of the Central People's Government.

4. Another aspect is whether the British Council would wish to

maintain a separate presence, or come in under the same roof as the Consulate General: this is obviously relevant to our planning for

the future Consulate General building. We are therefore keeping in

close touch with the Council on these points.

A.12. Pawc

A R Paul

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