SECRET
Res
M. (GA (KUD) see the Sis's coment: (amme we will wear
m from the posts at least, and mitites par M. Heath
Пра ano In theore
visits hummelf. can
म
From:
A E Donald
Date:
15 August 1983
Semmety of State
you FUTURE OF HONG KONG MR HEATH'S
are get
IT TO CHINA
drawn to 51515 attention, pre
Mr. Morris
8
1.
Wine
w gu
a report
5.80/8
PS/Mr Luce
PSV PS/PUS
Mr Giffard Head/FED
Head/Planning Staff Mr Roberts, News Dept
Sir Percy Cradock and I called on Mr Heath at his home today to brief him on the negotiations over the future of Hong Kong, before his visit to China. Mr S May and another adviser were present and took notes. Both, however, gave an assurance that
M. Thomsen the utmost confidentiality would be maintained.
FED
HIKK OR/22
2. Mr Heath has an appointment with Deng Xiaoping at the beginning of his visit to China. He arrives in Peking on 30 August. He will be calling at Hong Kong after his China visit, and will be entertained at lunch by UMELCO.
3. Sir Percy described the main elements of the present position, including a narrative of events since Mrs Thatcher's
visit in September 1982. He explained that we had reached a critical point in the negotiation where any sign from the British side that our position was not firm would be seized upon by the Chinese, We urged on Mr Heath that he should make the point to Deng that a link between Hong Kong and Britain was essential for confidence. Sir Percy also suggested a further argument for use with Deng if an opportunity presented itself, namely that if the negotiations ended in failure it would have a damaging effect on Chinese policy towards Taiwan and, conversely, if the negotiations were successful it would have a beneficial effect on China's relations with Taiwan.
4. Mr Heath asked several questions about our objective in the talks and what precise administrative arrangements would be best in British eyes for Hong Kong after 1997. We said that this would only emerge in the course of the negotiations.
5. Mr Heath was inclined to be sceptical about the British position. explained about the strength of feeling in Hong Kong, RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
Ang
nd particularly in EXCO, that Britain should be seen to be doing
3 AUG 1983
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
REGISTRY
PA
Action Taken
SECRET
/its