OO HONG KONG
GRS 194
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FM FCO 291400Z JUN 83
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
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- 4 JUL 1983
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stion Taken
TELEGRAM NUMBER 580 OF 29 JUNE
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
Kerrilk
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
ECONOMIC REVIEW.
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REPORT OF A STORY IN THE FAR EASTERN
1. AGENCY REPORTS ARE COMING IN ABOUT AN ARTICLE IN THE LATEST FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW ON THE FUTURE.
ACCORDING TO THE REPORTS THE ARTICLE SAYS THAT THE TALKS WERE DEADLOCKED FOR SOME TIME FOLLOWING THE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO PEKING BUT THAT THE LOGJAM WAS BROKEN WHEN MRS THATCHER SENT A LETTER TO DENG WHICH INDIRECTLY ACKNOWLEDGED CHINA'S SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG. AS A RESULT, THERE WILL SHORTLY BE A JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT A NEW PHASE OF TALKS, BOTH SIDES BEING CONFIDENT OF REACHING AN AGREEMENT SECURING THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG.
2.
IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS, WE ARE TAKING THE FOLLOWING LINE WE DO NOT COMMENT ON THE CONTENT OF THE TALKS, PARTICULARLY IN RESPONSE TO INDIVIDUAL PRESS STORIES. WHEN THERE IS ANYTHING TO SAY, WE SHALL SAY IT.
IF THE REFERENCE TO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF CHINA'S POSITION ON SOVEREIGNTY IS MORE SPECIFIC THAN FIRST REPORTS SUGGEST, WE OAY HAVE TO ADD THAT THE ARTICLE DOES NOT REPRESENT THE BRITISH POSITION ACCURATELY.
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FUTURE OF HONG KONG
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