HKK
N Thompson
022417
RECEIVED IN 90.51 14 AUG 1978
DESK
INDEX
No
Mr Quantrill, HKGD
CRY
cuon Taten
CC:
Mr Cortazzi
CONFIDENTIAL
ΕΝΤΙΑΙ
CHINESE POLICIES TOWARDS HONG KONG
Mr Quastrill
The study
70A)
anill aced
to consider Hacties and
What we
can offer
lf. on
representation to meet.
thas any Chinese "Concession"
on leaves.
We must also,
the argumento
take account of
for and against any move
representative
Sort
towards more 1. In Lord Goronwy-Roberts' meeting with the Governor of Hong Kong on 19 July we discussed the need to consider the whole question of developments in Hong Kong, including possibly a move towards political institutions, in preparation for the agreement that will have to be reached with the Chi within the next few years. Sir Murray MacLehose concentrs on the question of land leases and the need for legislati to remove 1997 as the terminal date as the single most impo: requirement in the immediate future. Lord Goronwy-Robert. it clear that, though the lease question was important, we reme thinking in much wider terms; and that although there was po hurry, we should wish to start soon on a comprehensive review of policy.
2.
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10
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A
21/1.1
Subsequently, at lunch, Mr Cortazzi and I went over this ain with Sir Murray MacLehose, who repeated that the most important and difficult issue, in his view, was the leases question, mord 3 once this had been resolved with Chinese acquiescence aspects of future development in Hong Kong would be relati easy to consider. He showed a disinclination to move frow this particular issue to a wider review, but accepted that should take place. Accordingly I repeated to him the wording I had used in the meeting with the Minister of State, stren that this was not a precise FCO formulation, but just an indig of terms of reference which might emerge more precisely in months. The wording was:-
Given the recent indications of Chinese attitudes, which su: we might assume a continuation of the status quo after 1977. should consider what developments need to be put into offer in Hong Kong, both for themselves and also to remove the co We should form a jn imposed by the lease termination date. ment on the extent to which these needs would be ncceptabl or conflict with, what we know about Chinese attitudes and them accordingly. We should then consider how we should our thoughts to the Chinese, so as to draw the reactions for future planning policy.
3.
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You will need to consider whether bho to any amendments suggested by He Cortazzi in the FCO, might be worked into wholerin to Sir Murray MacLehose's letter of 6 duly so lu Delons was ultimately sent by Sir Denys Rober
21 July 1978
CONFIDENTIAL