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question and that he has so informed Chinese contacts. We should
not wish this or any other 'solution' to be aired during Lord Rhodes
visit to China.
4. Lord Rhodes has visited China on several occasions in recent
years, sometimes as the leader of unofficial all-party Parliamentary delegations for which he has received financial backing from Hong Kong commercial interests. In Peking he normally sees a
Vice-Foreign Minister and other foreign affairs officials.
Lord
Rhodes has strong independent views and believes his visits play an important part in building UK/China relations. But his interventions have not always been helpful from our point of view.
5.
Hong Kong telno 1187 express reservations about the proposed
timing of Lord Rhodes' visit so soon after the next round of
Sino-British talks on Hong Kong, to be held in Peking on 22-23
September. We share Hong Kong's view that it would be impracticable to persuade Lord Rhodes to alter his arrangements and to travel to
China at another time. Nevertheless we agree with Hong Kong and
with Peking (Peking telno 788) that we should try to discourage him
whilst there from canvassing "solutions" to Hong Kong's future, even
on a personal basis. Moreover, in view of Mr Goodlad's position as
Government Whip with Foreign Affairs responsibilities, we do not think it appropriate for him to be a member of Lord Rhodes' party.
6.
Chinese leaders probably have few illusions about Lord Rhodes'
importance but they are inclined to believe that any views on Hong
Kong's future expressed by prominent UK personalities represent at
least in part, the views of HMG. Any "solution" on Hong Kong proferred by Lord Rhodes might therefore be misconstrued. This could have a damaging effect on our talks with the Chinese which are
both difficult and delicate. In addition, the inclusion of Mr
Goodlad in Lord Rhodes' party would undoubtedly seem to give credence to any Chinese theory that Lord Rhodes' "solution" or "solutions" to Hong Kong represented an official British Government position. We have learnt from the Whips' Office that Mr Goodlad has not yet decided whether to accompany Lord Rhodes. He understands, however, that should he wish to do so he would need to consult the
FCO.
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