HONG KONG
POINTS TO MAKE
HONG KONG
CONFIDENTIAL
Know that you will be staying with Chris Patten in Hong Kong, so he will be able to fill you in on his thinking.
Think you will find when you visit Hong Kong that confidence is high and so is the Governor's popularity. But, as he is
aware, these are early days: there are bound to be some tricky periods ahead particularly when he has announced decisions on political and constitutional change in his major
speech to LegCo on 7 October. He will have three audiences
Hong Kong, Peking and Westminster with different
requirements.
-
Chris Patten has concluded that some adjustments are needed to the political system in particular the
ExCo/LegCo relationship and to the arrangements for the
1995 elections, to ensure that these are democratic and fair.
- He has made clear to the Chinese privately that his proposals will be within the terms of the Basic Law, so as to
facilitate a smooth transition in 1997.
He has the full backing of the Prime Minister and myself. It is important that the Chinese realise this and recognise that he is the man they can and should do business with. He
hopes to be able to establish a good relationship with Chinese leaders and officials based on trust and mutual respect.
want to dispel suspicion and unwarranted worries on the
Chinese side. So I hope that in your meetings with the Chinese leadership you will feel able to make these points
We
heath.points/VISITBRIEF
CONFIDENTIAL
1
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.