Mr Stewart
Hong Kong & General Dept
HKK 164/1
RESCIV.
10 APR 1973
DENK OF
INDEX
No Ps. Mir
มา
80
CHINA/HONG KONG
1. When Hugh Cortazzi and I had lunch with him yesterday, Sir John Keswick brought up the question of the long term relationship between China and Hong Kong. He accepted Mr Cortazzi's view that the main thing at present was not to embark on any initiatives which could only cause uncertainty and upset the present delicate balance which suited both the Chinese and us; but he also made a specific point about Sir Lawrence Kadoorie which Mr Cortazzi thought it would be wise to follow up. Sir John Keswick said that as we knew Sir L Kadoorie would be visiting Peking shortly. He was in favour of promoting discussion with the Chinese about Hong Kong's long term future, and Sir John Keswick thought (and Mr Cortazzi agreed) that our relations with the Chinese on the issue could be seriously complicated and prejudiced if Sir L Kadoorie made unauthorised proposals. Mr Cortazzi therefore thought it might be useful for Lord Goronwy-Roberts to caution Sir L Kadoorie if he sees him or to arrange some other way of getting his message across if he does not. If you need any help with this from the Peking angle, no doubt you will let me know.
4 April 1978
cc:
Mr Cortazzi Mr Murray
Mr Allen
Lima Nammel
Has seen.
O Cortazzi R.
RC Samuel
Far Eastern Dept
We discussed this at your meeting this morning. Sis hawrence is at present based in Geneva (where the crowed yesterday). His plans, subject to conformation, are:
Sunday, 9 April: Geneva-hondon Sunday 16 April. London-Geneva Sunday 14 May: Geneva - Peking;
He hopes to stay in China for about 2 weeks; and
as for