TNAG-1933-FCO40-2759-Future-of-Hong-Kong-13th-meeting-of-the-Sino-British-Joint-L-1989 — Page 39

CODAAT ( 2 )

CONFIDENTIAL

things just as offensive to us.)

have

Hong Kong Government will continue as it always has to take proper regard to the importance of its relations with China. But any action must be within the law. Any attempt to go beyond it fatal for British authority.

This is a difficult period in our cooperative exercise. Goodwill and determination needed on both sides.

Outcome of this meeting must show we are back to business as

usual.

4.

There is no point in a private meeting like this in putting things in a way which will force the Chinese team to result to rigid defensive line. We are in fact aware that in private the Chinese JLG team were all supporters of the democracy movement, and were appalled by the massacre. They have been professionally careful not to show this to us, and have maintained a low profile in Hong Kong. Nevertheless their activity within the Chinese bureaucracy can be expected to be relatively in sympathy with our objectives.

belle Anan

Licholas

D G Martin

CONFIDENTIAL