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Drafting Committee. Ji is now semi-retired (and rather frail) but still retains both responsibility and influence of the highest level on matters relating to Hong Kong. Originally a military medical officer, spent most of his career after 1949 in foreign affairs and was Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1972-74. First Chinese Foreign Minister to visit UK, in 1973. Politically probably sympathetic to the hardliners.
Qian Qichen (62)
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He is one of China's leading
experts on the Soviet Union, having both served in Moscow and been the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. He was promoted to Minister in 1988. Does not appear to have taken a particular interest in Hong Kong before becoming Minister.
Qi Huaiyuan (60)
A Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs. An alternate member of the Communist Party's Central Committee. Qi has been responsible for the Middle East and Africa for some time, and recently took our responsibility for Western Europe. (including Hong Kong) from Zhou Nan when he was transferred. He is now the senior figure in the Ministry dealing with Hong Kong. He has spent his whole career in the Ministry and has served abroad in both East and West Germany. He holds the highest Party office among the Vice-Ministers and is well placed to succeed the present Minister. It emerged during Lord Young's visit that he speaks good English and has a knowledge of English literature.
Zhou Nan (62)
Director of the New China News Agency (NCNA), Hong Kong since February 1990. He is the most senior Chinese official in Hong Kong, and has many years of experience in dealing with Hong Kong matters as the responsible Vice Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as leader of the Chinese side during the latter part of the negotiations. Tough and uncompromising, though he can switch on the charm when he wishes. He has visited Britain on three occasions, most recently in March 1989 when he had talks with Lord Glenarthur. Speaks fluent English, and has a surprising knowledge of English literature.
Li Hou (67)
Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council. He is the Senior Deputy to Ji Pengfei and Secretary General of the Basic Law Drafting Committee. Quiet and retired in manner. But given Ji Pengfei's (qv)
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