011914
CONFIDENTIAL
File
If Thomson, FED Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Regi
Neare
GR
M White, SPD
• Ps
London SW1A 2AH
30
6. See (14
4|13|4
12 April 1983
90
Sir Richard Stratton KCMG
WELLINGTON
Dear Dick,
THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG
1.
HKK040/5
12 APR 1983
INDE
f
Thank you for your letter of 14 March about your US colleague, Monroe Browne.
2.
It is useful to know of "Browne's 'unspecified' wider role and his willingness to act as a channel. However, as you have guessed, I doubt very much whether we will wish to avail ourselves of his offer. Developments on the future of Hong Kong are being kept very close, but, with the Prime Minister's agreement, we are keeping Shultz generally in the picture through Oliver Wright.
3.
As you say, it could be helpful to us if the Americans had a better relationship with the Chinese, but I do not see much sign of things improving significantly in the near future. We do, however, keep an eye open for high level visits to China by American officials, academics or Congressmen, and through Washington some have been given a certain amount of background briefing. What is important is that nothing is said or done that could damage confidence in Hong Kong. We also keep a lookout for opportunities for other people with interests in Hong Kong to impress upon the Chinese the need for continuity and stability in Hong Kong, without which the territory's prosperity and that of its people is likely to suffer irreparable damage.
4.
While on the subject of Hong Kong, there is of course the visit to New Zealand later this month by the Chinese Premier, Zhao Ziyang, on which subject we have just exchanged telegrams (your telno 94). (Strangely, Warren Cooper did not appear to mention this when he called on Teddy Youde last month Robin McLaren's letter of 11 March to Dick Clift, copied to your Chancery, refers). If you pick up anything on either Cooper's visit to China or Zhao's visit to New Zealand concerning Hong Kong
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