TNAG-2042-FCO40-2908-Visit-by-Dr-David-Owen-MP-to-China-and-Hong-Kong--February-1-1990 — Page 25

CONFIDENTIAL

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Mr Payx

HKD

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From:

RJT McLaren

30 January 1990

Date:

Cc:

Private Secretary

PS/Mr Maude

Mr Gillmore

Mr Millington, FED Mr Lidington

Mr Fraser

HKB 026/12

RECEIVED IN

15 FEB 1990

DESK OFFIC INDEX

VISIT BY DR DAVID OWEN MP TO CHINA AND HONG KONG.

(2-8 FEBRUARY)

CRY

1. I called on Dr Owen this afternoon in response to his request for briefing by an FCO official in advance of his forthcoming visit to China and Hong Kong.

2.

nen

Dr Owen said that his visit had been postponed from an earlier date. He expected to be criticised for going to China at the present time and had therefore insisted on paying his own way. He did not know exactly who he would see, but he had been classed as a friend of China since approving the Harrier deal (which never came off) when he was Foreign Secretary and he was of course a robust European, which the Chinese liked.

3. Dr Owen said that he had no political axe of his own to grind and wanted to be helpful. He was worried about the trend of developments over the democracy issue. He saw real danger in the kind of course advocated by Lord Wyatt and much of the media. He hoped we would avoid a confrontation with the Chinese on this issue. At Dr Owen's request, I then explained the background, covering the Hong Kong Government February 1988 White Paper, the agreement with the Chinese over the "through train", the change in opinion in Hong Kong since 1988, the attachment of OMELCO to their consensus, and the evolution of the relevant Basic Law provisions. Dr Owen said that in any conversation with the Chinese leaders on the subject he would avoid discussion of figures, but make the point that what the Chinese were now offering in the Basic Law was not enough to command confidence in Hong Kong. commended this approach.

I

CONFIDENTIAL

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