TNAG-2392-FCO40-3478-Appointment-of-Chris-Patten-as-new-Governor-of-Hong-Kong--Ap-1992 — Page 97

Draft letter from PS/No 10

TO:

Mr Hilton Cheong-Leen

Channon Hong Kong Civic Association D'Aguilar Street

503 Yip Fung Building

GPO Box 920

HONG KONG

Thank you for your letter of 4 January to the Prime Minister about the change of Governor in Hong Kong, and

for your kind words about the work of Sir David Wilson.

The Prime Minister has made clear that he has the

fullest confidence in the Governor. Sir David has given outstanding service during five very testing years. It

was never the intention that Sir David would serve until

1997, and the expectation is that he will retire in the

course of 1992.

The Prime Minister understands how important the choice of a successor is for the people of Hong Kong. The Government will take careful note of the views

expressed in Hong Kong. We agree that the crucial objective over the next five and a half years will be to

ensure a smooth transition and a successful future for

Hong Kong on the basis of the Joint Declaration. The new Governor will have a central role to play in that process on behalf of all the people of Hong Kong.