TNAG-2515-FCO40-3669-Future-of-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-Sub-1992 — Page 186

CONFIDENTIAL

oris20 MDLIAN 7467

-

3. WE WILL BE SEEKING EXCO'S ENDORSEMENT ON 28 JANUARY BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE ISSUE OF A FORMAL APPLICATION TO HOST THE 1997 MEETINGS. APART FROM THE LIKELY HEAVY COSTS, - AND THE QUESTION OF WHO SHOULD BEAR THEM AND THE SIZEABLE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN WHICH WOULD FALL TO BE INCURRED DURING THE PERIOD LEADING UP TO THE 1997 HANDOVER, WHEN WE MAY HAVE OTHER IMPORTANT PRE-OCCUPATIONS, CONCERN IS LIKELY TO FOCUS ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH HOLDING THE EVENTS HERE WOULD IN FACT PROVIDE A VISIBLE DEMONSTRATION OF HONG KONG'S CONTINUING AUTONOMY · OR THE REVERSE. THUS IF YOU AGREE IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF UK DEL COULD, BEFORE EXCO'S DISCUSSION ON THE SUBJECT, FIND OUT INFORMALLY FROM THE CHINESE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHETHER HE IS AWARE OF THAHANE'S RECENT EXCHANGE IN BEIJING AND HONG KONG AND, IF POSSIBLE ASCERTAIN THE LIKELY CHIENSE REACTION TO THE POINTS RAISED IN PARA. 1(B), (C) AND (D).

WILSON

,

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

MONETARY

ERD [-]

HKD

NNNN

145

DISTRIBUTION

145

FED

MR BURNS

PAGE

2

CONFIDENTIAL