TNAG-1834-FCO40-2608-Sensitivity-review-of-Hong-Kong-Government-records-1988 — Page 40

CODE 18-77

Betty Lovering

Sensitivity Review Unit

CW 360

LRD

SECRET

SENSITIVITY REVIEW OF FCO PAPERS CONCERNING HONG KONG

Thank you for your minutes of 12 and 13 October to Mr Paul of this deparment, enclosing a total of 5 files dealing with Hong Kong for review. I have been asked to reply to you.

1.

2.

If

I recommend that the papers flagged-up in files 141218 and 141219 concerning the Hong Kong Working Group established in late 1957/early 1958 should remain closed. We agree with the note on the first of these files that we should not reveal the existence of these discussions for fear of an adverse reaction in Hong Kong. these papers came into the public domain, the Chinese might overreact to the information contained here: this would hamper our efforts in our delicate on-going discussions with the Chinese on the question of Hong Kong's defence and public order in the transition period and after 1997.

2.

Similarly, file number 141221, 141227 and 141297 deal with another subject in which we are currently engaged in discussions with the Chinese: the question of the location of boundaries and the definition of Hong Kong's territorial waters. I recommend that these papers too be withheld. If

these files were opened, there are plenty of convincing arguments contained here and put forward by FCO Officials in the past which would undermine our current line in the negotiations with the Chinese. We would not wish to supply s.” counter-arguments ourselves, or undermine our position unnecessarily.

13 October 1988

Cauma Ellier

C ELLIOT

Hong Kong Department WH303

270 2655

SECRET