MR LUCE'S INFORMAL MEETING WITH COMMONWEALTH REPRESENTATIVES IN LONDON,
9 FEBRUARY 1982
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
POINTS TO MAKE (DEFENSIVE)
1. LPS spent 4 days in China in early January and also visited
Hong Kong. Series of discussions, in particular with Premier Zhao
Ziyang and Vice Premier Ji Pengfei. Discussed future of Hong Kong
with both.
2.
Clear that the Chinese:
a)
are addressing their minds to the problem;
b)
will be studying it soon, taking into account Hong Kong's
value as a free port and a centre of commerce and trade,
which they regard as very important;
c)
realise something has to be done before 1997;
d)
do not want prosperity of Hong Kong damaged.
But I do not think anyone is
This attitude generally encouraging.
expecting very rapid progress. It will clearly be important to take
into account the interest of the people of Hong Kong.
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