TNAG-2158-FCO40-3078-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-Chinese-views-1990 — Page 8

CONFIDENTIAL

95

HKC340

BESK (

INDE

29 MAR 1990

-4 APR 1990

Mr Pay HUD

7 Mr l

Jasad's

thank you.

FROM: A R Paul

Hong Kong Department

DATE: 29 March 1990

PS/Mr

Maude

- W

a

Spoke

сс

m 30/3 enero

30/3

Mr McLaren

UK NATIONALITY SCHEME: BRIEFING THE CHINESE

pa

2/4

Mr Morris

/30/3

1. Ministers agreed some time ago that the Embassy in Peking should

brief the Chinese about a week in advance of the publication of the

Bill, with the aim of heading off unfavourable Chinese comment.

2. It is now proposed that the Embassy will take action with the

Chinese on 30 March on the basis of the attached speaking note,

which has been prepared by ourselves in collaboration with Hong

Kong.

3. Mr Galsworthy (UK RepJLG) will take similar action on his channel on Monday, 2 April.

4.

This initiative is unlikely to have much effect on the Chinese position. But it is clearly important that we should be seen to be

trying to explain to the Chinese that the motivation for the

nationality package is fully consistent with the Joint Declaration

and in Hong Kong's best interest.

I MP ABR

CONFIDENTIAL

ARPanc

A R Paul