TNAG-1847-FCO40-2622-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 23

CONFIDENTIAL

22162

MDLIA. 6995

TO THE FAC AS IN PARA 1 ADDING THAT WE HAVE NO REASON TO DOUBT THE SINCERITY OF ASSURANCES GIVEN IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BY CHINESE OFFICIALS THAT THERE IS NO INTENTION TO INTRODUCE MILITARY CONSCRIPTION IN THE SAR. THE CHINESE SURELY APPRECIATE THE EXTREMELY NEGATIVE POLITICAL EFFECT THAT WOULD HAVE. IT IS UNDERST- ANDABLE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN UNWILLING TO RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY ALTOGETHER IN THE JD AND BL.

WILSON

YYYY

MAIN

49

.HONG KONG AGREEMENT

.(RESTRICTED)

LIMITED

HKD

HD/FED

RESEARCH (FE)

ADDITIONAL

3

DISTRIBUTION

52

PUSD

PS/LORD GLENARTHUR

PS/MR EGGAR

MR GILLMORE

MR MCLAREN

MR EDWARDS LEGAL ADVISERS

MR WHOMERSLEY LEGAL ADVISERS

MR FIFOOT HKD

NNNN

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN

CLOSED UNDER

FOI EXEMPTION NO...2.7.(1)

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CONFIDENTIAL