TNAG-2354-FCO40-3424-Visits-by-members-of-the-House-of-Lords-to-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 18

Mr Burns Dow Mr Paul, HKD

Ps/hord Chilliness

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with

Mr Paul:

L

agree

FROM:

A R

Paul

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well meant,

but not

vey well

Thought through

DATE:

Hong Kong Department

20 December 1990

idle.

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CC:

2

Private Secretary

Mr McLaren

Mr Davies, FED

Mr Burns

PS/Lord Caithness

HONG KONG ATTACHE IN PEKING

A 1. Lord Caithness has asked for comments on the suggestion

of Lord Young that there should be an officer, either from London or the Hong Kong Government, based in Peking with the task of explaining to the Chinese Government at every stage developments on PADS.

2.

-

I certainly do not think that it would be appropriate for anyone based in London to take on such a role the project is after all the responsibility of the Hong Kong

Government, not HMG.

3.

Nor do I see much point in sending someone from Hong Kong to live in Peking to fulfil such a task. An effective channel of communication already exists to provide the Chinese with all the information they require, namely the expert group which met in Hong Kong in November and which will travel to Peking for talks on 10/11 January. In addition, the Political Adviser in Hong Kong is in close touch with the NCNA; and the Embassy in Peking is in virtually daily contact with the MFA.

BAGAEJ/1

CC

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