TNAG-2493-FCO40-3625-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-Chinese-reac-1992 — Page 15

CONFIDENTIAL

OFFICE OF THE BRITISH SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE,

SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP HONG KONG

PF Ricketts Esq Hong Kong Department FCO

HKC 012/4

Dear Puter,

HONG KONG AFTER 1997: CLOSING THE DOOR

750

24 November 1992

pa

Oushakan!

Mr Bushe

1.

We have seen Stephen Bradley's letter of 20 November about Chinese statements that after 1997 Hong Kong will be an internal/domestic affair.

2. The Chinese line is of course incorrect as a matter of international law, and we should take them up on it when the point is made in our presence, as Tony Galsworthy has already done in the JLG.

3. We do not however think that there is much point in going out of our way to open up a second front on this theoretical point. There is quite enough to argue about in relation to current issues and nothing either side may say about it will alter the position in law.

Yours Sincerely Alan

A R Paul

CC:

LO (IL)

M Dinham Esq, GH

CONFIDENTIAL

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