TNAG-2079-FCO40-2959-Hong-Kong-press-coverage-and-reports-1990 — Page 273

RESTRICTED

FROM:

A R Paul

DATE:

HKB

301

1

CEVERIN

RY

1 1 JUL 1990

Cc:

Mr Walker, RAD

Hong Kong Department

2 July 1990

Mr McLaren

Mr Burns

Mr Figgis, RAD

-Mr Davies, FED

POSSIBLE LUNCHTIME DISCUSSION ON CHINA/HONG KONG WITH

ACADEMICS AND JOURNALISTS

39

-1.

Thank you for your minute of 26 June suggesting the names of academics and journalists who might be interested in a seminar on Hong Kong. You also sent me a copy of your

minute of 30 April to Mr Davies (FED).

2.

As I explained when we discussed this on 25 June, I am

not convinced that a seminar along the lines envisaged would

be particularly useful at this time, certainly as far as Hong Kong is concerned. Most of the names on your list have already made up their minds about our Hong Kong policy, and

I do not believe that a seminar would do much to influence

them one way or the other. A seminar would probably serve only to stir up unhelpful interest: there is no particular message which we want to get across at the moment.

3. That is not, of course, to say that we should not make every reasonable effort to keep in close touch with these people. I have myself had lunches or long chats with a

CC7ABE/1

RESTRICTED