TNAG-2553-FCO40-3728-Hong-Kong-Bill-of-Rights-review-of-legislation-1992 — Page 153

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CONFIDENTIAL

MOHI

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MONTH. OUR TIMETABLE FOR SOME OF THE AMENDING LEGISLATION WILL THEREFORE BE VERY TIGHT.

CHINA DIMENSION

OPTIONS

Redacted under FOI exemption sections 27 (1)(a), (c), (d)

7. WE HAVE BEEN CONSIDERING WHETHER, AND IF SO HOW, WE SHOULD INFORM OR CONSULT THE CHINESE ABOUT THE AMENDMENTS. THERE ARE

THREE POSSIBLE OPTIONS:

(A)

CONSULT THE CHINESE THROUGH THE JLG:

(B) TO BRIEF THE CHINESE SIDE IN AN INFORMAL LOW-KEY MANNER ON

THE PROPOSALS IN EACH BILL AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY EXCO BUT BEFORE THEIR INTRODUCTION INTO LEGCO:

(C) NOT TO BRIEF THE CHINESE AT ALL, AND LEAVE IT TO THEM TO ENQUIRE ABOUT OUR PROPOSALS ONCE THEY HAVE BECOME PUBLIC.

ASSESSMENT

8. OPTION (A) (CONSULTING THE CHINESE IN ADVANCE) IS THE SAFE OPTION IN TERMS OF OUR RELATIONS WITH THE CHINESE. BUT IT WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY RUN US INTO SEVERE TIME PRESSURES. IT IS LIKELY THAT AT LEAST SOME OF THE AMENDING BILLS COULD NOT BE INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO BEFORE THE EXPIRY OF THE FREEZE. IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN THE REASONS FOR THE DELAY. THE CHINESE WOULD PROBABLY

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