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operating; but he might have said that it would be 'very difficult'
if Rowe had directly asked him whether there would be problems
in this area.
8.
In these circumstances I do not think that Huan's conversations
with Rowe represented a firm indication of a new Chinese line.
But they are still disturbing because:
9.
X
(a) they add weight to other recent reports indicating that
the Chinese leaders envisage more of a mercenary than a directing
role for the British after 1997; there are strong indications
that they place political requirements before economic considerations.
(b) they suggest that the Chinese see political change taking place
sooner rather than later (e.g. in the five years leading up to
1997).
I agree with HMA Peking's suggestion (Peking tel No 293,
paragraph 7) that it would be useful to try to draw Huan out on his
talks in Australia and Hong Kong. On the other hand, contrary to
HMA's view and that of the Governor (Hong Kong tel 543, paragraph 4)
I do not believe that HMA Peking should disclose prior knowledge of
Huan's remarks which were passed to us in strict confidence.
Even if the Australians agree to our making use of these, this would
not be in our interests. We would give the impression to the Chinese
that we were opening up another channel of discussion through a third
party. We have not yet even given the Ambassador authority to respond
to Deng's remarks to Mr Heath. We certainly do not want him to reply
to remarks made to the Australians.
26 May 1982
vorio пог
R D Clift
Hong Kong and General Department
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Я
agree that