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3.
but not long term.
In his personal view, close co-operation was advantageous to both sides. Fourthly, he would like to make it clear that the main lines of policy were already decided and set. Within this context he would be interested in any ideas which Hong Kong wished to put forward in the same way that he was very interested in what had already been said. Hong Kong's needs were those of Guangdong. Hong Kong and Guangdong were neighbours. The door was open. The two sides should get in touch more often.
6.
The FS thanked Mr Xi for what he had said. .Co- operation and the confidence that co-operation would help to generate would be vital in the troubled 1980s, particularly for Hong Kong. Confidence would be the main determinant of prosperity in the future. Vice Premier Deng's assurances, which Mr Xi had just repeated, had been believed and
appreciated. But as time went by these general assurances would need to be translated into practical measures (Mr Xi nodded agreement). These would, of course, have to take account of China's policies as well as the interests and wishes of people in Hong Kong. The important thing was to identify points of practical co-operation. He had been very glad to hear that Mr Xi would consider any suggestion put forward by Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Government would of course do the same for any suggestions put forward by Guangdong.
The meeting ended at 10.10 a.m. with Mr Xi asking for his best wishes to be passed on to Sir Murray and Lady MacLehose and to Sir Jack Cater.
7.
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Political Advixer's Office, 12 May, 1980.