TOP COPY
GR 200
SECRET
FM HONG KONG 250750Z JAN 83
TO IMMEDIATE F C O
SECRET
HKK 040/5
24 JAN1983
INDEX
AP2011
seel See(22
TELEGRAM NUMBER 129 OF 25 JANUARY
INFO IMMEDIATE WASHINGTON (PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR), PEKING (PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR).
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YOUR TELNOS 97 AND 98: FUTURE OF HONG KONG: LINE TO TAKE WITH MR. SHULTZ
A
to washington
TURS ARRIVED HERE AFTER DEPARTURE OF GOVERNOR FOR LONDON. HE WILL PRESUMABLY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT IN LONDON.
2. AS SEEN FROM HERE, THE POINTS IN PARA 4 OF YOUR TELNO 98 SEEM UNLIKELY TO BE VERY PERSUASIVE. THE CHINESE WILL SIMPLY RESPOND THAT, UNDER THEIR SCHEME FOR AUTONOMY, NOTHING WILL CHANGE AND NO-ONE HAS ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. SUBJECT TO THE GOVERNOR'S VIEWS AND THOSE OF HM AMBASSADOR PEKING, I SUGGEST THAT PARA 4(E) BE REPLACED BY SOMETHING ALONG THE FOLLOWING LINES:
WHATEVER IS SAID TO THE CONTRARY, 1997 IS WIDELY PERCEIVED AS A THREAT OF A DEGREE OF CHANGE UNACCEPTABLE BOTH TO THE LOCAL POPULATION AND INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS. DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE IS VITAL TO THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG'S FREE MARKET ECONOMY AND FREELY CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY. HOPE THAT RAPID AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED WHICH WILL PROVIDE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS WITH THE FIRM AND CREDIBLE GUARANTEE OF CONTINUITY WHICH THEY REQUIRE.
HADDON-CAVE
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FUTURE OF HONG KONG
LIMITED
HD!HKGD
COPIES TO
SIR I SINCLAIR
HD/FED
MR ROBERTS
LEGAL ADVISER
NEWS D
HD/PLANNING STAFF
HD/PUSD
PS
PS/MR HURD
MR COLES
MR MARTIN
PS/PUS
PS/LORD BELSTEAD
MR GIFFARD
MR DONALD
NO 10 DOWNING STREET
ASSESSMENTS STAFF
CABINET OFFICE
SIR I BUALARD
SECRET
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