TNAG-2732-FCO40-3938-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1993 — Page 241

SECRET

THIS IS A COPY THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED UNDER

FOI EXEMPTION NO. 27(1)

10 10 10

5.

of practical electoral arrangements.

The Chinese are

likely to jib if we propose explicitly that the talks should cover the Governor's proposals. In our response to Qian's message, the choice is therefore probably between a

very bland formula

and indicating that we shall also want to discuss practical electoral arrangements; or a slightly more pointed formula indicating that we will wish to discuss electoral proposals put forward (ie the Governor's and also those in the compendium of alternatives).

There is also the question of how we should respond to Qian's message.

Sir R McLaren sees no need for a further

message from the Secretary of State and suggests that he should be instructed to make our further points on instructions. We agree. It would be worth keeping

personal messages to Qian for moments when we have a significant political message to convey.

If the Secretary of State agrees, we will draw on this

submission and the letter to No 10 to let Hong Kong have our initial thinking before the ExCo meeting. We will also set work in hand with Hong Kong on a Steering Brief and will submit this, together with further instructions to Sir R McLaren, following the ExCo meeting next week.

Rizoliath

PF Ricketts

SECRET