TNAG-2592-FCO40-3780-Appointment-of-Chris-Patten-as-new-Governor-of-Hong-Kong--Ap-1992 — Page 17

(157) FILE

PS/Mr Goodlad PS/Mr Patten

CONFIDENTIAL

FROM: P F Ricketts, HKD

DATE: 20 May 1992

cc: Sir J Coles

Mr Burns

Mr Davies, FED

Mr Wye, RAD

Ms Corner,

Cabinet Office

HONG KONG: CRITICAL PATH AND CHINESE BREAK-POINTS

I submit a paper on this subject, which Mr Patten commissioned at a meeting with Sir John Coles on 1 May.

1.

I am

2. The paper is necessarily speculative. It incorporates comments from Lord Wilson, Mr Galsworthy, Sir John Coles and Mr Burns. awaiting comments from Sir Robin McLaren. Where there is more than one view on a key issue I have reflected the range of views rather than try to produce a lowest common denominator which in the end reflects no-one's views.

3.

The paper sticks to the issues with major China implications. The new Governor will no doubt face decisions in many other areas within Hong Kong's autonomy. But I think it is best to leave the Hong Kong Government to brief on these.

The critical path includes thoughts on timing of visits to China and the USA.

4.

5.

Mr Patten has asked for this paper before he leaves for his overseas trip, ie by the evening of 21 May. I believe that the Minister of State proposes to chair a meeting to discuss the issues raised by the paper, on his return from Hong Kong.

ketts

PF Ricketts

Hong Kong Department

HKD 0071

CONFIDENTIAL