CONFIDENTIAL
30)
Reference
Mr. Willing of fro.. Mr Quantri
Mr McLaren
Некосоль
RELAND REGSTRY NO. 51
2 2 FEB 1979
Yes I
THE STATUS OF HONG KONG
WNDEX
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PA
Arda
RE
H.Y
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1. Mr W Easey rang Mr McLaren on 16 February. He wished to know HMG's declared position on the status of Hong Kong. Apparently, the only recent public utterances he could find made in 1972 and 1976 - both referred to HMG's "well-known position" but did not specify what this was.
attached
2. Mr Webb/Research Department has provided us (folio 28) with a summary of the constitutional position and a selection of public statements since 1945. The material is of interest in its own right but, when I spoke to Mr Easey yesterday, I preferred to base my reply on paragraphs 4 and 5 e) and avoid any reference to sovereignty. He seemed satisfied.
20 February 1979
N. f. Ling
N A Ling
Hong Kong and General Department
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Ihis is a useful document and we should keep it handy. The statement referred to pera 4. is the one to which we should normally refer any one seeking a definitive line on the fritist attitude to Hong Kong.
CODE 18-77
N Willyson J 2012
22/2
82 2112 R22412.
CONFIDENTIAL
W. Chantill
21/2.
121/2