SECRET
File No.
528/1/3
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Huan Xiang, Vice President, Academy of Social Sciences PRC
Record of Conversations with
in
May 1982
Officers Present
P.J. Rowe, North Asia Branch
MAIN SUBJECTS (S): THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG
I had two conversations with Huan Xiang on Hong Kong.
a result of Huan's remarks to I raised the subject as
two the Ambassador in Peking that he would make a visit to Hong Kong at the request of the Hong Kong Government on his way back to China.
day
Notwithstanding Huan's early remarks that China didn't really understand the meaning of a "free port", he spike
His with considerable authority on China's position. answers to questions and his further clarification all followed logically and without hesitation. I did it attempt to take up with Huan discrepancies in his remarks. As he was forthcoming on all the questions I asked, I wished to avoid the impression that I was pumping or discussing the question for any other reason than personal interest.
I led into the first conversation by noting Huan's short stay in Hong Kong. Huan said he thought he had
want to "hint' been invited because the Hong Kong government to him of its interests. I asked Huan if China had given
Huan any consideration yet to the future of Hong Kong. volunteered the following points:
There was no doubt that China would exercise its sovereignty.
The problem of Hong Kong was divided into three
Victoria, Kowloon and New separate parts: Territories; however the question would be treated as one issue as it was generally recognised that Victoria/Kowloon could not survive alone.
I would be aware of the nine point proposal on the eunification of Taiwan.
Report prepared by:
(Peter
SECRET