Background
SECRET
THIS IS A COPY THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED UNDER
FOI EXEMPTION NO. 27(1)
TALKS WITH CHINA ON ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS
1.
Round 14 of the talks took place on 20-21 October. On the first day there was a slight sign of possible movement from the Chinese, but these faint promises were not fulfilled on the second. There is one more round agreed before OPD (K) meets on 10 November. Prospects of an agreement remain poor but not yet quite hopeless.
CIVIL SERVICE
2.
Civil Service issues have attracted considerable attention in Hong Kong recently. A particularly high-profile example has been the strong objection from local civil service associations to the Hong Kong Government's décision to allow certain overseas officers to transfer to local terms. Some civil servants have said that the issue has driven a wedge between local and expatriate officers and soured the working atmosphere.
3. There has been some leaking of the proposed compensation package for HMOCS officers. Editorial comment has been generally supportive of HMG's decision to offer benefits to these officers. The Foreign Secretary and the Chief Secretary will discuss the proposed package on benefits on 27 October. is likely that they will agree on the compensation scheme, but not on the sterling safeguard. If so, the Governor would like OPD (K) to take a political decision at its meeting on 10 November.
The Hong Kong Government has decided to inject HK$7 billion into a pension reserve fund for civil servants.
4.
NATIONALITY
It
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bcg.csi.ADM
SECRET
SLM
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