Mr McLaren HH GA
Thank
کدکه
D5X8
SECRET
DARE.
Mr Cor
Cortazzi
P.S. Mr
Bicker 4
16/19. HER OLD/1 16/10
17 OCT 1979
340.51
all
H
PREMIER HUA'S VISIT TO LONDON : HONG KONG
Problem
No
PWW 17/10.
A,
218
1. To decide how Hong Kong issues, particularly the
question of land leases in the New Territories, should be
handled during discussions with Premier Hua Guofeng and
the Chinese Foreign Minister.
Recommendation
2.
See
235
I recommend that Ministers should take the line set
out in the attached brief. I also recommend that immigration
and New Territories leases should be discussed between the
Secretary of State and Foreign Minister Huang Hua rather than
in the plenary sessions. FED agree.
Background"
3. The Chinese rejected our proposed solution to the problem
of the property leases in the New Territories on 24 September;
the Secretary of State reported this development to the Prime
Minister and other OD colleagues on 9 October.
4. The Governor of Hong Kong and HM Ambassador in Peking
both recommend that the question should be raised during
Premier Hua's visit and both think it more suitable for discussion
at Foreign Minister rather than Prime Minister level (Peking
C
telegram No 864 and Hong Kong telegram No 1402). There is a
slight difference of view between the Ambassador and the
Governor on how the issue should be handled. Mr Cradock believes
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/that