Mr Donald
Sir E Youde
SEC
Hick on
HKCK ouoli
235/
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. $1
2 5 MAR 1961
Mr. McLaren FED Mr. Fitai
·
гра pa
24.3.
Драз
copy Mr. McLaren
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
1.
DESK OFFICER INDEX
REGISTRY
Copied
PA
Action Taken
AW
AW251
2513
State
Before the Secret
STL Sir E Youde may like
to see the attached letter of 11 March from Mr Webb, with two articles from 'Ming Pao' on the future.
2. Whether the articles had any official Chinese endorsement is very uncertain. Wang Guang may have talked to the Editor beforehand but even that would not necessarily indicate Peking's approval.
3.
Nevertheless the picking up of the idea of 15 years' notice on Hong Kong is interesting. The Governor mentioned this to me last week. He believes the idea should not be lost sight of.
I agree. I think it not inconceivable that it might form part of a package. From our point of view the other elements would have to include some understanding on British administration presumably allowing amendment of the 1898 Order in Council. The Chinese would no doubt expect a statement by us on sovereignty.
20 March 1981
Дир
R D Clift
Hong Kong and General Department
"
Interesting. The idea of "15 years' advance notice"
may, of course, be no
more than
reflection of the thought
I hav there will be no solution in sight in 1982, and that must be reminded of the significance of 15 years.
the Chinese decline to discuss the future in 1981/82,
The Chinese
다
Suppose
we shall hear
more of
a
SECRET
12
year
"advance notice"?
Yes. It might
be an element.
Asterald
2373
5/23/3