TNAG-2352-FCO40-3422-Visits-by-Lord-Caithness--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and--1991 — Page 166

Mr Burns

CONFIDENTIAL

140

CHKD 026

RECEIVE

14 JUL 199!

DESK DEFL INDEX

FROM: A R Paul

Hong Kong Department

DATE: 6 June 1991

c: Mr Crystal, News Dept

ISTRY

PA

un Taken

LORD CAITHNESS' VISIT TO HONG KONG 22-26 JULY

A

1. PS/Lord Caithness asked for comments on Hong Kong's

revised draft outline programme (HK Telnos 1786 & 1787).

B 2. The Governor has suggested (Telno 1767) that

Lord Caithness may wish to consider arriving a day earlier

if possible. I understand that the conference he was to

attend in Avignon on 20 July has now been cancelled so it

would in theory be possible to arrive in Hong Kong on

21 July.

3.

The Governor recommends a short statement to start off

the question and answer session at the Community Lunch. I

agree. The key issue (and also at the press/media conference) is likely to be relations with China. A short, punchy statement of HMG's continuing commitment to

Hong Kong, the Joint Declaration and to seeking a balanced,

positive working relationship with China could provide quite a useful "soundbite" setting the tone of the visit.

4. Lord Caithness should find the proposed urban district

visit (to Wong Taisin) an illuminating contrast to his previous visits to New Territories districts.

PEPADA/1

CC

CONFIDENTIAL