1
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1
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Mythift (HKGD)
The Sis saw the side-copy of
Mr Dohald
Enter (266
this, and and have told the Donald, tw. Griff and
hes expirened SECRET readiness
to see thr. Heath wherever 10's is thought best. Late next week
HEATH might be possible
FUTURE OF HONG KONG': MR HEATH
1.
to see
(1.6)
AnHomes 19/5.
Mr Simon May, Mr Heath's Private Secretary, called on 17 May to discuss the follow-up to Deng Xiaoping's conversation with Mr Heath in March.
2.
See (376)
I gave Mr May a very full background briefing on our present thinking at official level. I stressed particularly that no ministerial decisions had been taken and that this prevented any direct reply to Deng Xiaoping's suggestions. I gave Mr May the attached suggested Line to Take as well as a copy for information of the Chinese nine-point proposals on Taiwan.
3.
Mr May emphasised that Mr Heath was under considerable pressure from the Chinese Ambassador to react. He asked whether it might be possible for Mr Heath to speculate on a personal basis about the sort of concessions which might be made to China's interest in underlining her sovereignty over Hong Kong. I said that this should be avoided. Given Mr Heath's position any remark by him would almost certainly be taken as a message from the British Government and Ministers were not in a position to give a view on the sovereignty question. I asked that Mr Heath should emphasise the fact that the Falklands crisis was preoccupying Ministers' attention.
4.
Mr May took these points and will so report to Mr Heath. I expect nevertheless that the latter will come under further pressure from the Chinese Ambassador and it may be that Mr Heath will mention the question to the Secretary of State at some stage. I told Mr May that Mr Pym was looking forward to seeing Mr Heath for a full discussion as soon as the current crisis allowed.
17 May 1982
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Private Secretary PS/Lord Belstead Mr Elliott, FED
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R D Clift
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Hong Kong and General Department,
I entirely
entirely support the live given by
Mr. Clife in para 3 above.
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Caliper 1875
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precede the mecky with Mr. Heath. He will consider. To Meanwhile of sophils