Distribution
Fire
CONFIDENTIAL
PS
PS/Lady Young
PS/Mr Luce
PS/PUS
Mr Donald
Hd/Planning Staff
Mr Elliott FED
FUTURE OF HONG KONG: RECORD OF LORD RHODES
4.00 PM ON THURSDAY 22 SEPTEMBER.
HKK0401
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
3 OCT 1983
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
ודי
REGISTRY
W
Action Taken
кников
CALL ON MR CLIFT, HKD,
Present
Mr Clift
Lord Rhodes
Mrs Priest HKD
Lady Llewellyn Davies
Miss Frances Wood
Mr Roger Sims MP
Mr Bill Benyon MP
1. Mr Clift explained that the purpose was to set the scene for his discussion with Lady Young at 4.30 pm. He gave the historical
background to the Sino-British talks now taking place and which were bilateral in theory but triangular in practice. He explained the basis for confidence in Hong Kong, and outlined China's plan for
Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region of China.
This was a
concept in which Hong Kong people seemed to have little confidence. They needed effective guarantees that their present lifestyle and freedoms would remain unchanged. The central issue of the talks was thus to devise a package in which they could have confidence. aimed to seek a solution acceptable to Britain, China and the people
of Hong Kong.
HMG
2. Lord Rhodes asked whether (as he believed to be the case) the
Prime Minister had written a letter about the talks to Chinese
leaders. Mr Clift explained that he was not at liberty to disclose
details of the negotiations. These were confidential and must remain so for obvious reasons. Hẹ could now even say that the
CONFIDENTIAL
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