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065073 MOHOAN 5754
9 July to brief the Governor and the Executive meetings in Peking.
(iii) Any other Hong Kong issues raised?
Council on his
The Secretary of State pressed for more rapid progress on the airport and in the Joint Liaison Group (JLG). The Chinese
responded by agreeing that the Central Wanchai Reclamation project essential to the timely completion of the new airport railway could go ahead. It was agreed that there should be a meeting of the JLG in Peking in September and in London later this year.
There is a huge agenda to be completed by 1997, much of it technical but essential to ensure a smooth transition. Both Ministers agreed work should be speeded up.
(iv)
(If raised) Did Mr Hurd take any concessions with him?/Will you water down Governor's proposals?
to
It
The Secretary of State did not make concessions. His aim was focus attention on essentials and on the need to make faster progress. We want to reach agreement, but not at any price. remains essential for us that these elections, held under British administration, should be fair, open and acceptable to the people of Hong Kong.
(v) Was the visit solely concerned with Hong Kong?
No. The Secretary of State had an opportunity to discuss with Foreign Minister Qian international issues (North Korea, Cambodia, UN peace-keeping and non-proliferation) and human rights/Tibet. He handed over Lord Howe's report and an updated copy of the Prime Minister's list of detainees.
BACKGROUND (Confidential for your own information)
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