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SECRET
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(f)
If a visit to Hong Kong were not feasible it might be useful to arrange a publicised meeting of the Secretary of State with the Chinese Foreign Minister in New York.
In addition there will be opportunities for Ministers to reiterate their commitment and confidence on various occasions. One will be the ''Dragon Boat Dinner'' on 15 June at which, on present plans, Mr Rees will speak.
Other Action in the UK
11. It is worth bearing in mind that Hong Kong opinion focusses very sharply on any event here at which Hong Kong is mentioned. It is very easy for the wrong impression to be given or for the timing to make life difficult for the Hong Kong Government. A recent example was Lord MacLehose's talk in the Keswick Memorial Lecture on 19 May. The reporting of this coincided with the Governor's television interview on 20 May. It not only stole the headlines but was misreported as a gloomy forecast of the future prospects. There is probably not much we can do to influence events of this sort but we are in touch with Lord MacLehose and we must ensure in future that Hong Kong are at least warned in advance and sent full and accurate texts of what is said.
12.
I
Another facet of this point will be the new Parliament and the need for us and the Hong Kong Government Office to get and keep in touch with MPs on the subject of Hong Kong. was struck by the totally false impression obtained in Hong Kong from the recent Commons Debate on the Dependent Territories. The antidote must be for us to encourage more people who are knowledgeable about Hong Kong to intervene sensibly on such occasions.
1 June 1983
Brip
R D Clift
Hong Kong Department
Moir useful.
You
spoke
will on
on X.
There is
Now
progren
m Y.
J
unit 2. Lord Machehne is stui sore
agree wit 2. Lord
mauling over the lack of coordination between him,
about his mauling
I
σ
the Governor's TV appearance.
outlined in your para
10
SECRET
The programme
is now well under way
Anmeld
2076