SECRET AND PERSONAL
amended proposals would be likely to win support in LegCo, and how to use them in order to re-engage the dialogue with the Chinese and begin to wind down the present level of
confrontation.
4.
The Governor's thinking is not yet fully developed, particularly on the Chinese angle. But as the first operational step he proposes to send a message to the Chinese via his most pro-China ExCo member, Mr C H Tung, who will be in Peking this weekend. The message would not commit us either on the form of amended proposals or the handling with the Chinese, but it would be a first foot in the water.
5. I agree that these indications of Chinese thinking are intriguing and potentially encouraging. We would need further corrobation before we could be sure that the Chinese are serious in looking for a way out. But it is a clear enough signal to make it worth examining whether amended proposals could be developed which took account of Chinese ideas. If the Governor wished to go ahead with amendments, we would need to seek OPD(K) agreement (perhaps in correspondence). Putting a first foot in the water would itself represent some change of approach. I therefore recommend that we update No10 before the Governor goes ahead. I submit a Private Secretary letter, which is also copied to OPD (K) colleagues.
Lichette
PF Ricketts
hk.const.PET
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SECRET AND PERSONAL
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