Redacted under FOI exemptions 23 or 24
Мин
04011
SECRET
.*
GR 350
SECRET
FM PEKING 8308182 MAR 82
TO PRIORITY F C O
TELNO 136 OF 3 MARCH
RPTD INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG (PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR).
FOR DONALD
(93
HONG KONG TELNO 286 TO YOU: FUTURE OF HONG KONG
RG113
See loy
1. 1 AGREE THAT THE QUESTION OF THE FUTURE MUST BE DISCUSSED AND
AGREE WITH THE LINE PROPOSED IN PARAGRAPH 2(A) OF TUR AND THE FIRST PART OF 2(B). I AM HOWEVER UNEASY ABOUT A ''FIRM'' REFUSAL TO
DISCUSS THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUED BRITISH ADMINISTRATION,
REGARDLESS OF HOW THE CONVERSATION EVOLVES.
2. ACCORDING TO OUR BEST JUDGEMENT, THE NECESSITY OF CONTINUED BRITISH ADMINISTRATION FOR THE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG IS A FACT.
IF THERE IS TO BE ANY REASONABLE OUTCOME, AT SOME POINT THE
CHINESE WILL HAVE TO RECOGNISE THAT AND ANY FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS
IF THEY ARE TO HAVE ANY PROSPECT OF SUCCESS - WILL HAVE TO START
FROM THIS PREMISE. IN VIEW OF THE LIMITED TIME REMAINING (PARA 2(A) OF TUR), THIS EDUCATION PROCESS SHOULD BEGIN AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE WHILE CHINESE POLICY IS STILL BEING FORMED. WE HAVE
ALREADY AGREED THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT UNOFFICIAL HONG KONG VISITORS TO CHINA SHOULD PUT ACROSS THE MESSAGE, AND THEY ARE DOING SO. HOWEVER, IN SPITE OF SOME INDICATIONS THAT THE CHINESE MAY BE STARTING TO FOCUS ON THE POINT (ATKINSON'S LETTER OF 1 MARCH TO MCLAREN REFERS), THERE ARE CONTRARY AND DISTURBING SIGNS THAT SOME SENIOR CIRCLES BELIEVE THAT CHINA CAN QUITE SATISFACTORILY RUN HONG KONG ITSELF. (MY LETTER OF 1 MARCH ABOUT MY LUNCH WITH ERIC HOTUNG REFERS).
3. I DO NOT SUGGEST THAT THE GOVERNOR SHOULD RAISE THE POINT HIMSELF, BUT IT MAY COME UP. IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE NOT IMPOSSIBLE THAT WANG HIMSELF MIGHT FLOAT THE QUESTION OF CONTINUED BRITISH ADMINISTRATION, OR IMPLY WHAT IS APPARENTLY HIS BELIEF, THAT IT IS NOT A PREQUISITE FOR A PROSPEROUS HONG KONG. IN SUCH
CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR WHICH WE MUST PROVIDE, I AM CONVINCED THAT AN EVASIVE OR NON-COMMITTAL ANSWER WOULD BE DAMAGING, PARTICULARLY COMING FROM THE GOVERNOR, WITH HIS UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS TO SPEAK
ION THE
SECRET
99