TNAG-2781-FCO40-4000-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-Chinese-reac-1993 — Page 4

A

202

CONFIDENTIAL

012/2

RECEIVED IN

20 DEC 1993

ISTRY

DESK C.

DECISTRY

FROM:

PF Riets

on Taken

Hong Kong Department

DATE:

13 December 1993

CC:

PS

Mr Fry, FED

Special Advisers

سلمى شكرا

Mr

нут

Cottun 13/12

PS/Mr Goodlad

Minar

Any 1311.

HONG KONG: CHINESE REACTIONS

Problem

1.

Response to Hong Kong telno 1785, and specifically the

Governor's proposal that we should jog Chinese elbows over our

proposal for a round of talks on 17/18 December.

Recommendation

2.

Telegram to the Governor. I submit a draft. This is

also an opportunity to pass on the Secretary of State's views

on public handling, which are consistent with the Governor's

proposals.

Background

3.

The attached telegram from Hong Kong summarises Chinese

public comments over the weekend and notes that the reaction

in Hong Kong has been calm. The Governor makes a number of handling proposals:

That we should avoid being too active in attacking the PWC (while perhaps discreetly guiding others in commenting on it).

CONFIDENTIAL