TNAG-2170-FCO40-3107-Hong-Kong-annual-review-for-1989-and-1990-1990 — Page 4

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INFO ROUTINE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG BTC HONG KONG

YRTELNO 2125: ANNUAL REPORT ON HONG KONG, 1990

32

123441 MDLIAN 9335

1. WE WELCOME MINISTERS' DECISION TO MAKE THE REPORT MORE COMPACT, WITH CROSS REFERENCES WHERE APPROPRIATE TO THE HONG KONG YEAR-BOOK, THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS WHICH WOULD BE PLACED IN THE LIBRARY OF THE HOUSE.

2. WE SHOULD POINT OUT, HOWEVER, THAT PAST REPORTS TO PARLIAMENT HAVE ALL CLEARLY STATED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE EXERCISE IS TO KEEP PARLIAMENT INFORMED OF DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG ON A REGULAR BASIS. THIS BEING THE CASE, THE REPORT CANNOT BUT BE MAINLY AN OBJECTIVE AND FACTUAL SURVEY OF THE MAIN EVENTS IN HONG KONG DURING THE REPORT PERIOD. THE SCOPE FOR MAKING POLITICAL POINTS IN THE REPORT WOULD THUS APPEAR TO BE QUITE LIMITED. FOR THE SAME REASON, THE REPORT WOULD ALSO HAVE TO BE QUOTE COMPREHENSIVE UNQUOTE ALTHOUGH THE GENERAL EMPHASIS AND THE DEPTH OF TREATMENT ACCORDED TO EACH SUBJECT COULD VARY TO GIVE PROMINENCE TO NEW AND NOTEWORTHY DEVELOPMENTS.

3. WITH THE ABOVE CAVEATS, WE ARE HAPPY TO TRY TO PRODUCE A PITHIER REPORT, STARTING WITH A SHORTER AND MUCH MORE BROAD- BRUSHED OUTLINE, WHICH IS GIVEN BELOW FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION:

I. INTRODUCTION

■

II VISITS TO HONG KONG BY MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY AND

GOVERNMENT MINISTERS.

III. HONG KONG AND CHINA

(A) SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS (BACKGROUND)

(B) BASIC LAW

(C) SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP (AND LAND COMMISSION)

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