TNAG-2488-FCO40-3619-Policy-papers-regarding-the-transfer-of-sovereignty-of-Hong--1992 — Page 18

CODE 18-77

All Desk Officers

HKD

CONFIDENTIAL

1997-RELATED GENERAL POLICY PAPERS

Reference...

НКС

00013

см

1. Hong Kong/China Issues Section is to open a file with copies of papers of continuing general policy interest, or cross-references to them. There is at present a tendency for such papers to be buried in individual subject files and to disappear from the collective memory once we move on from the immediate context which generated them. We thus often find ourselves reinventing the wheel.

2. For example, from my Section's point of view, I envisage the file would hold copies of papers on such subjects as:

-

what action could HMG take were the PRC to break articles of the Joint Declaration following the transfer of sovereignty (and indeed, how HMG could respond if the SARG acted contrary to the JD). I am working on this at present

(it is relevant to the HMOCS consultations). Mr Bunten's work on transfer of assets in 1997 should also be referred to on this file. Other recent material might include:

-

Chinese comments on validity of RTHK contracts after 1997 and our response.

Legal Advisers' comments (in the HMOCS context) on whether we are committed to a smooth transition.

- One or two highlights of last year's airport negotiations.

- Possibly of integrating Shenzhen with Hong Kong.

3. I would, therefore, welcome contributions to this file from other Sections, including copies of or references to earlier papers which they recall from recent months. This will be a running file, so any subsequent papers likely to be of a continuing general policy interest should be copied to

it.

S.D. Hankin

Dr S D Harkin

WH 305 270 3287

5 May 1992

cc: Mr Ricketts

Mr Cox

FUTACU JRB

CONFIDENTIAL