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(E) AGREEMENT WAS REACHED ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BRITISH CONSULATE-GENERAL ON A GOOD SITE IN HONG KONG GRANTED BY HKG. THE COMMUNIQUE CONFIRMS HKG'S PREVIOUS OFFER TO PROVIDE LAND FOR A CHINESE MFA OFFICE IN HONG KONG (THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BOTH OFFICES IS PROVIDED FOR IN THE JOINT DECLARATION).
(F) THE PRIME MINISTER RAISED THE QUESTION OF LANDS CURRENTLY USED FOR MILITARY PURPOSES WITH PRESIDENT YANG SHANGKUN, WHO IS VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE PARTY AND STATE CENTRAL MILITARY COMMISSIONS, AS WELL AS WITH LI PENG. BOTH SIDES AGREED THAT PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE AND THAT EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. EXPERT TALKS ON THIS SUBJECT TOOK PLACE IN HONG KONG ON 5-6 SEPTEMBER.
(G) PRIME MINISTERS AND FOREIGN MINISTERS ALSO DISCUSSED THE PROVISION OF SEPARATE AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS FOR HONG KONG. LI PENG REITERATED CHINA'S SUPPORT FOR AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND OTHER COUNTRIES, AND IT WAS AGREED THAT EXPERTS WOULD SEEK TO RESOLVE POINTS OF DIFFERENCE WHICH HAVE LED TO DELAYS IN FINALISING OR NEGOTIATING SOME AGREEMENTS RECENTLY.
(H) THE PRIME MINISTER RAISED THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, AND IN PARTICULAR THE LEGCO ELECTIONS. HE URGED THE CHINESE TO IMPROVE THEIR RELATIONS WITH LEGCO AND OMELCO (OFFICE OF MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS) AND LI PENG AGREED TO CONSIDER THIS. MEANWHILE EXCO AND LEGCO MEMBERS WERE WELCOME VISITORS IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITIES. HE SAID THAT CHINA RESPECTED THE VIEWS OF PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG INCLUDING MEMBERS OF EXCO AND LEGCO.
(I) THE PRIME MINISTER ALSO REGISTERED THE NEED FOR CONTINUITY AND GOOD MORALE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AND CALLED ON THE CHINESE TO OFFER MORE REASSURANCE AND SUPPORT.
(J) THE TWO PRIME MINISTERS DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. LI PENG REITERATED CHINESE CONCERNS ABOUT HONG KONG POLICY OF FIRST ASYLUM, BUT REITERATED THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WAS WILLING, WITHIN ITS CAPACITY, TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM.
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE JLG WILL BE IN LONDON FROM 24-26 SEPTEMBER, AND WE HOPE TO REGISTER FURTHER PROGRESS THEN.
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