alos at: I KOSECRET
HKK 026/17
D/Mr Blaker
23 SEP 1980
40A
agres
Mr. GKFT, HICED Mr. Blakes
rom 15/9
PA Jaza
дж
бат
1 I agree generally with this except for one point which concerns paragraph 5 of the Points To Make at A.
This suggests
that we should say to the Chinese that 'It is not too soon to open a dialogue on the longer term future of Hong Kong'. My own view is that we should say that 'It is not too soon to
begin thinking seriously about the longer term future of Hong Kong'.
I do think it is too soon to open a dialogue because we, for our part, have no clear idea on how things will develop and would
not therefore have anything to say if the Chinese did respond to what might look like an invitation to talks.
2 I have had a word with the Hong Kong Political Adviser who thinks that what I have suggested might be closer to the Governor's intention than the present formulation.
12 September 1980
Howard Youde
SECRET