TNAG-2452-FCO40-3569-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1992 — Page 137

CONFIDENTIAL

Saadang 4 State fr (reconst

FROM P F Ricketts

Hong Kong Department

DATE :

17 November 1992

Pri

Private Secretary

HIB 012/2

O Grieg tos

Mr Morris Mr Bunke

the Whitney My Barnes-

Jones R

Miss fameles

2. fa

cc PS/Mr Goodlad

PS/PUS

Sir John Coles

Mr Hum

Mr Davies, FED

Mr Wye, RAD

PS/GH Hong Kong

Mr Ehrman, Hong Kong

Sir Robin McLaren,

Peking

Aaq

19/6

SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE MEETING ON HONG KONG : 16 NOVEMBER

1.

The Secretary of State held an office meeting on 16

November to prepare for discussion of Hong Kong at OPD (K) on

18 November. The Governor and a number of his team from Hong

Kong, and Sir Robin McLaren, attended. I attach a copy of the

annotated agenda we prepared for the meeting.

2.

On the state of opinion in Hong Kong, the Governor noted

that the Chinese reaction to his proposals had been at the high end of the spectrum. But support in Hong Kong remained reasonably solid apart from some in the business community. He intended to continue with his present line certainly until the new year, making clear that if others had alternative proposals to offer, he would be willing to consider them. But

he did not want to take the initiative in offering changes.

If he did so, the Hong Kong community would move away from him, and the Chinese would

sofshk.GEN.kr

CONFIDENTIAL

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