TNAG-2625-FCO40-3816-Visit-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1992 — Page 51

CONFIDENTIAL

SECRETARY OF STATE`S VISIT TO HONG/KONG:/26-28/ JA 1992

BRIEF NO 6

CHECKLIST FOR EXCO MEETING

EXTER TRACKLEY)

General

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Appreciate chance for frank and open discussion, in fine tradition of dialogue with ExCo. Ministers in London value your wise advice to the Governor, and your support for his policies.

Very encouraged by what I have seen in Hong Kong this time: economic dynamism, integration with Southern China. Face number of political decisions in coming months will welcome your views.

Constitutional Issues

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Noted the close vote in LegCo last month on the question of more directly-elected seats in 1995. Do you think this was an accurate representation of the state of public opinion in Hong Kong on this issue?

In the course of the next six months we shall need to discuss a whole package of issues relating to the 1995 elections, including functional constituencies, the Election Committee, minimum voting age, and the voting system itself.

The Airport

- Share the Governor's view that the right approach is to show willing to deal with Chinese concerns on callable equity, if necessary to settle financing arrangements for the Airport Authority separately from the Railway, but not to appear

sos.jul.BTC

SLM

CONFIDENTIAL