TNAG-2619-FCO40-3810-Official-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1992 — Page 108

VISIT BY MINISTER OF TRADE TO CHINA: 26-30 JULY 1992

HONG KONG ISSUES

New Airport

(Points to make- will need to be updated)

disappointed that no progress has been made to resolve the financing of the project.

-Know that the British and Hong Kong Governments have made every effort to explain the proposals, which are cost effective and efficient.

- Hope that resolution will be possible very quickly. If not the costs will escalate and the project will be further delayed- which will be bad for all concerned.

(Defensive)

Political developments/ visit by Mr. Patten to China

-Mr Patten will want to take time to settle in and talk to

people in Hong Kong before reaching any decisions on political{

issues.

-No question of changing the present executive-led system of government in Hong Kong.

-He will ofcourse wish to visit China in due course, but not practicable to think of this in the first couple of months or

so.

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