TNAG-2790-FCO40-4029-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1993 — Page 145

Mr Ricketts, HKD

CONFIDENTIAL

From:

RR 318/19

Basil Eastwood

Research & Analysis Department

Date:

20 May 1992

27 MAY 1992

CC

Mr Burns

IR/

Tazen

Mr Davies, FED Mr Wye, RAD

HKD "WORKING PRACTICE" AGREEMENT WITH FAR EASTERN SECTION RAD

1. We need a new "Working Practice" agreement with your Department to run from 1 April 1992 to 30 March 1993. This minute reflects discussions between your Department and Far Eastern Section. Unless I hear from you to the contrary I shall assume that you are content that this minute shall constitute our agreement. I would suggest that we conduct a review, especially of the papers outlined in paragraph 4, after six months, but the WPA is not meant to be a straitjacket and suggestions will be welcome at any time for ways to improve our co-operation.

2.

As you realise, Far Eastern Section has other FCO customers, in addition to your Department. Part of it's time will continue to be spent advising and supporting those Departments, as well as Posts, the Cabinet Office and others in Whitehall. It also has a range of internal tasks not reflected in what follows (the development and weeding of its information base, academic contacts, computerisation, training etc). So this agreement is not exclusive. Your Department should of course continue to seek support from other Sections in RAD as necessary.

3. On substance, oral advice and ad hoc minuting, both initiative and responsive, will continue to be a major part of RAD's input to your Department's work. The following broad topics of interest to your Department will receive priority for comment and analysis on an initiative basis by Far Eastern Section in 1992/3:

Chinese policy towards Hong Kong (general rather than technical aspects);

a)

b)

Chinese views on Hong Kong's future autonomy;

c)

4.

Indications of Chinese views on Hong Kong issues affected by the adoption of the Basic Law.

As to major items of responsive work, Far Eastern Section has agreed to prepare the following studies (with the level of priority indicated). The need for any outstanding papers will be reviewed after six months:

CONFIDENTIAL