CONFIDENTIAL
CALL BY MISS CLARE HOLLINGWORTH ON MR RICHARD LUCE MP, MINISTER OF
STATE, 2.30 PM, THURSDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 1983
Present:
Mr Luce
Miss Hollingworth
Mrs Priest, Hong Kong Department
There
1. Mr Luce asked Miss Hollingworth for her views on the mood in Hong Kong. Miss Hollingworth said there was a general feeling) that people in Britain were apathetic towards Hong Kong. As evidence of
this they pointed to the dearth of information available about the progress of the Sino-British talks on Hong Kong's future and to the absence of substantial British media coverage of Hong Kong. All
this had created in Hong Kong, an unfavourable impression, both of
HMG and of the Governor.
2. Mr Luce explained that the Prime Minister was taking a close
personal interest in the talks. The Government were deeply
concerned to find a settlement which would be acceptable to Britain, China and the people of Hong Kong. Their views were being taken
fully into account. The Governor and all the Unofficial Members of
Hong Kong's Executive Council (EXCO) had visited London in July for
consultations. He himself would visit Hong Kong from 24-29
September. As for the talks, there was an urgent need for confidentiality. It was impossible to negotiate openly.
Miss Hollingworth understood this but said that the Chinese had
been much more forthcoming about their basic position than HMG had
been. Mr Luce explained that China's "frankness" was little more
than a reiteration of their basic propaganda line.
3. Miss Hollingworth said that many professional and business
people in the 25-55 year age range wanted the British to leave Hong
Kong. They thought that this would improve their chances of promotion and advancement. They realised that Article 31 of the
Chinese Constitution would not give Hong Kong complete autonomy. Nevertheless they thought that it would provide sufficient for them
CONFIDENTIAL