TNAG-2663-FCO40-3859-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General.-With-photogra-1992 — Page 150

SECRET

with the completion of the new building, and the move of

UKRep JLG into it, there should be some scope for

consolidation between the two missions and their political

work. The burden of political reporting on Hong Kong should

transfer at that stage to the BTC. UKRep JLG are likely to be very busy in the period immediately before and after 1997, and will in any case cease to exist in the year 2000.

Coordination between these two missions will become more

important in the years up to 1997.

apart from UKREP JLG, the only other possible source of DS

manpower already in Hong Kong to staff the future Chancery

would be the DS4 Political Adviser and his DS5 Deputy. But as 1997 approaches, the Political Adviser's staff will

increasingly be preoccupied with assisting the Governor with

the final stage of British rule, (and are expected to move to

Government House). They will therefore be seen in Chinese

eyes as agents of the departing colonial authority. Better

(symbolically) that they should leave Hong Kong with the

Governor, and the BCG should draw its future chancery staff

from other sources.

we shall also need to consider whether there should be a

communications centre in the Consulate General immediately on

occupation, running in parallel with the one in Government

House until the departure of the Governor. This will have

resource implications as it would mean setting up a

communication centre in the BCG earlier than originally

planned.

Hong Kong Department

4 November 1992

brief.consgen.BTC

JEB

SECRET

Page 150Page 151