TNAG-2360-FCO40-3431-Visit-by-John-Major--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--Septem-1991 — Page 17

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to stress the importance of the constant advice from the Governor and ExCo in framing policy; their close

involvement in the airport negotiations; and the

inclusion of the Governor and HKG officials in the

delegation to Peking;

to convey a balanced and realistic account of the talks in Peking; to sound upbeat, but not over-trusting

of current smiling faces and friendly noises;

to encourage interlocutors themselves to state the need for cooperation with China, rather than seeming to

preach at them about this;

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to reiterate that we are willing to consult China on

matters straddling 1997 but that we are also committed to maintaining the authority of the HKG (and that the Chinese have assured us that they share this aim and

do not seek a veto) ;

to parry detailed questions about the airport, eg the various committees, with general references to the

good talks between the Governor and Lu Ping and to HKG's responsibility.

Joint Liaison Group

Depending on the outcome of the Peking talks the Prime Minister could express his optimism, or hope, that the work of the Joint Liaison Group (JLG) will now speed

up. He could mention the inclusion in the delegations of Mr (Tony) Galsworthy and the Chinese Senior

Representative, Ambassador Guo (pron. GWOR). And he

CONFIDENTIAL