CONFIDENTIAL
BRIEFING FOR OPPOSITION LEADERS ON HONG KONG'S FUTURE
POINTS TO MAKE
1.
Stress confidentiality.
2. Recall Prime Minister's visit to Peking, September 1982.
Important from point of view of Sino-British relations. Hong Kong
inevitably discussed. Agreement on talks through diplomatic
channel. Common aim of maintaining stability and prosperity.
3.
Several meetings have taken place between Sir P Cradock
and Chinese MFA. Meetings continuing but limited so far
to procedural matters because of Chinese insistence on premise
of recognition of sovereignty.
4.
Sovereignty key point. We are not inflexible. PM has made
clear to Chinese that sovereignty not in her gift. Subject to
Parliament's decision. But sure that if satisfactory arrangements
for Hong Kong's administration could be agreed, recommendations
would be put to Parliament on the sovereignty question.
5.
Problem of achieving satisfactory practical arrangement.
Main objective to retain Hong Kong's freedom and way of life.
Continuation of present system would be best way of achieving
this. Key lies not in ''British administration'' in colonial
sense but in link with London as guarantee against intereference
by Peking.
6.
Chinese propaganda.
Floating idea of autonomous Hong Kong.
Special Administrative Region of China, linked to Peking but
with assurances of non-interference after 1997. Hong Kong people
very sceptical of value of these assurances.
CONFIDENTIAL
17.
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