DRAFT STEERING BRIEF
SECRET
ANNEX B
DSR 11C
SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG: 29 MARCH TO 1 APRIL
BRIEF NO 1 : STEERING BRIEF
OBJECTIVES
1.
a) To reassure the local community that HMG are fully
aware of their responsibilities to the Territory and
intend to fulfil them; this is particularly important at
this time in view of the disquiet caused by the Nationality
Bill;
b) To get a first-hand impression of Hong Kong's problems,
needs and achievements;
c) To discuss the Hong Kong angle to subjects to be raised
during the Secretary of State's visit to China.
BACKGROUND TO THE VISIT
2.
The Secretary of State last visited Hong Kong in
June 1979 to see for himself the problems created by the impact of the combined influx of immigrants from China and refugees
from Vietnam. That visit, the subsequent announcement of a UK
resettlement quota of 10,000 refugees and the swift reinforce-
ment of the Hong Kong Garrison, provided concrete evidence of
HMG's continuing commitment to Hong Kong.
Nevertheless, a
-
number of other developments in the last 2 years - the most
vivid and recent being the Nationality Bill (see paragraph 4
below) have given rise to fears that the UK is deliberately
distancing itself from Hong Kong and that local interests are
being overlooked. The visit will provide a timely opportunity
publicly to re-confirm HMG's commitment and to compensate for
the intended visit last September which had to be cancelled.
/Programme
SECRET