TNAG-2627-FCO40-3818-Classified-communication-facilities-in-Hong-Kong-1992 — Page 13

20 November 1992

Alex Hart Esq Cabinet Office 70 Whitehall LONDON

CONFIDENTIAL

Foreign & Commonwealth

Office

London SWJA ZAH

Telephone: 071-470 2650

es

Dear Alex

HONG KONG: SECURE TELEPHONE TO PEKING

1.

I enclose a copy of a letter from Stephen Wall to Richard Gosney, Private Secretary, about the provision of a secure telephone link between Hong Kong and the Embassy in Peking. As you will see, the Prime Minister would not want bureaucratic difficulties to stand in the way of this proposal.

2.

As we discussed, I understand that Hong Kong would favour an extension of the "patron" system to Peking. This makes sense because it would bring Peking into the net which currently links Hong Kong with inter alia No10, the Foreign Secretary's and Mr Goodlad's private offices and with this department. I would be most grateful if you could put the necessary work in train and keep me informed of developments.

し

mever

Jam

J C Morris

Hong Kong Department

hart.let.MOR

CONFIDENTIAL

SLM

HKD 196/1