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FROM IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 433
TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
APRIL 5
MMEDIATE
SECRET
(423)
ADDRESSED CO TELNO 43 OF 5TH APRIL RFI PEKING.
Hw
MY TELEGRAM 437 : SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS.
FOLLOWING IS SUGGESTED TEXT:-
BEGINS: THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAVE NOTED WITH INTEREST STATEMENT
WHICH VICE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, LO KUEI-PO, MADE ON 8TH
MARCH AND HAVE INSTRUCTED ME TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING REPLY:
2. AS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAVE ALREADY MADE CLEAR, THEY
.ATTACH MUCH IMPORTANCE TO BRINGING ABOUT AN EARLY IMPROVEMENT ÎN
SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS, AND RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF HONGKONG
IN THIS CONTEXT. IT IS THEIR DESIRE IN PARTICULAR THAT CHINA AND
HONG KONG SHOULD IN FUTURE ENJOY THE ESPECIALLY CLOSE CONNECTIONS
AND ECONOMIC TIES THAT HAVE EXISTED IN THE PAST TO THEIR MUTUAL
BENEFIT.
3.
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ARE WELL AWARE OF THE SPECIAL POSITION
OF CHINA WITH RELATION TO HONG KONG. SUBJECT TO THEIR OVER-
RIDING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADMINISTRATION, ORDER AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE TERRITORY, THEY HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN ACCOUNT
OF THE VIEWS PUT FORWARD BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ABOUT HONG KONG.
A STABLE AND PROPEROUS HỒNG KONG IS IN THE INTERESTS OF ALL PARTIES
ARCHIVES NG 63||
- 5APK 1968
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