TNAG-1986-FCO40-2819-Presentation-of-UK-policy-on-Hong-Kong-to-the-media-1989 — Page 44

PORBIGE SBC

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PRESS COFF.

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PARIS

31 JULY 1989

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QUESTION (DAILY TELEGRAPH);

Did you get an indication from the Chinese Foreign Minister

yesterday that there would be very little changes to the Basic Law

before its promulgation next year and that that was going to go

ahead, come what may, on schedule?

PORRIGE SECRETARY:

I think it would have been very surprising if the Chinese

Foreign Minister had suddenly changed his established position on a

whole range of issues and so clearly, he did not.

Where I think yesterday's meeting was useful is that there

was a frank exchange of views and there is now no doubt in the

Chinese Foreign Minister's mind about our concern and the concerns

that I believe people feel in Hong Kong.

PETER RITCHIE (DAILY EXPRESS):

Foreign Secretary, could I ask you a more general question.

You have doubtless been deluged with briefings over the past

few days.

Having seen what you have seen, what would you say was

the most difficult problem confronting you in the next year in your

office and what is the most challenging?