TNAG-2452-FCO40-3569-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1992 — Page 136

CONFIDENTIAL

хх

Ms Barber- Tomes

e

Mill Pona/12

lo consider pre

fils realy distress' t

Parliament)

the Governor thought there might be some difficulty over an announcement of concessionary finance for China at a time when Peking was being tough with Hong Kong. The Secretary of State thought this difficulty could be overcome through the right presentation:

if one announced a major contract for British industry (which was supported by suitable concessionary finance) that would be more acceptable than announcing the decision by highlighting the fact of new soft aid for China;

the Secretary of State wondered whether any purpose would be served by bringing forward his spring meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen;

the Governor and HMA Peking foresaw the likelihood of the Chinese Government asking the Hong Kong Government to stay their hand over the Constitutional proposals when the Governor was on the point of tabling the legislation;

the Secretary of State and Mr Goodlad agreed that they would, together with the London business community, make a plan to provide the right public support for the

Governor over the coming period. coordinate this plan.

Mr Goodlad agreed to

17-9

17 November 1992

CC

PS

PS/Mr Goodlad PS/PUS

Sir J Coles

Mr Hum

Mr Davies, FED Special Advisers

R.N.I.So

(R HT Gozney)

CONFIDENTIAL