CONFIDENTIAL
19/815
HKK 040/1
FROM: R D CLIFT, HKD
DATE: 19 AUGUST 1983
Mr Donald PS/Mr Luce
mické
Minister:
PS.
PS/Lady Young
PS/PUS
Hd/Planning Staff
PUSD
Hd/FED
PROPOSED VISIT TO CHINA BY LORD RHODES: OCTOBER 1983
PROBLEM
1.
Whether, and if so how to:
(a) discourage Lord Rhodes from canvassing "solutions" to Hong
Kong's future during his forthcoming visit to China; (b) explain to Mr Alastair Goodlad MP, that in view of his
political standing it would not be advisable for him to accompany Lord Rhodes during this visit.
RECOMMENDATION
2. I recommend that Mr Luce speak both to Lord Rhodes and to Mr Goodlad bearing in mind respectively, points (a) and (b) above. [FED
agree].
BACKGROUND AND ARGUMENT
3. The Chinese Ambassador has extended an invitation to Lord Rhodes
to visit China. He proposes to do so early in October, accompanied by Mr Goodlad, Lady Llewelyn-Davies and Miss Frances Wood of the British Museum, stopping over in Hong Kong, for 2 days en route. Lord Rhodes says the main purpose of his visit is to improve Sino-British relations, but he has indicated that he also proposes to raise the future of Hong Kong in his talks with Chinee leaders. 6, C, D In this connection, Mr Luce has twice provided Lord Rhodes with
appropriately general "Points to Make". We have recently learnt however that Lord Rhodes has a 'personal solution' to the Hong Kong
CONFIDENTIAL