TNAG-2660-FCO40-3856-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-1992 — Page 75

SECRET

Office of the

British Senior Representative

Sino-British Joint Liaison Group

CO Hum Esq

AUSS (China/Hong Kong) FCO

2 June 1992

HKD 406/1

Chrisryphen,

QB

RESIDENCE OF THE FUTURE BRITISH CONSUL-GENERAL

(77)

1. I have seen David Wilson's letter of 25 May to Andrew Burns, in which he sets out some ideas on the possible use of Head Quarter House as the residence of the future British Consul- General.

2.

I continue to be strongly opposed to attempting to go down (22) this road, for the reasons given in my telno 39 of 10 February. I think there is very little chance that the Chinese would give up their designs on this property, which has been included in the "comprehensive proposals" on defence lands which they put to us last November. All our experience in dealing with them on defence lands shows that they like high profile central locations and dislike those which are distant from the city. Head Quarter House will look splendidly prestigious and face-giving to a PLA Commander. Nor do I think that security considerations would deter the Chinese from opting for Head Quarter House; indeed the fact that we wanted it for our purposes would serve only to increase its attraction in the PLA's eyes.

•

I can see the attraction of a package in Hong Kong terms, but see no reason why it could not be applied to a property other than Head Quarter House. Indeed, as regards local acceptability, although this is not really a point for me, I wonder whether it would in fact be easier to sell to local opinion a package which involved not only giving up Head Quarter House, but also the expense of building a new residence for the PLA commander. is however academic, since I am sure the Chinese would never accept the plan in the first place.

This

SECRET

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