A
Page
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resumption of control in 1997 would have a disastrous effect
on Hong Kong, notwithstanding Chinese assertions of
willingness to allow the British to continue exercising
administrative control until then and notwithstanding their
promises of a continuation of a free market economy and a
free port thereafter.
Edmund also said that Professor Paul Lin
had seen Liao and his statements in Hong Kong had been made at
the behest of the Chinese leadership.
I told Edmund that I did not know the detail of the
Prime Minister's discussions in Peking nor did I know what had
happened since then. I said I would report our conversation
to you.
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J. Jones:
R. P. Margolis
DPA
18. X. 82
ASPER