SECRET
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UK EYES 'A'
HKC SD
103
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
PA
(Picture 32
conkes)
Dear Juan,
FunR040/5
30 MAR 1983
入
3/1/2
29 March 1983
Future of Hong Kong: Briefing the Australians prior to Premier Zhao's visit to Australia
T4
See (113)
The Chinese Premier, Zhao Ziyang, is visiting Australia from 17 to 23 April, following a visit to New Zealand.
Australia has an important relationship with China and at the same time has considerable business interests in Hong Kong. We have therefore been considering:
a.
offering the Australians some up-to-date briefing, and
b. asking whether they would be prepared to make
some general points to the Chinese.
Sir John Mason has reported that Hong Kong is very likely to come up in discussion and has suggested that the Australians - would welcome a briefing on Chinese intentions, with defensive talking points. He also thinks that they would be willing to make general points about, eg the need to ensure the continuing stability of Hong Kong. However, he has cautioned against going too far in telling them about our talks with the Chinese or in any way appearing to involve them in the negotiating process. We strongly agree with this. We believe that we should give the new Australian Government a general picture of the background to the Hong Kong problem, with enough information to show that we recognise that they have important interests in Hong Kong. If we do not do something on these lines they will only have the Chinese side of the story. But it would be a mistake to go further. We should concentrate on our assessment of the Chinese ideas on Hong Kong and why they are viewed with so much scepticism, both in London and in Hong Kong. Points we should like the Australians to make, if they consider it appropriate, would focus on why and how Hong Kong works as successfully as it does, and how vital the present systems are to its continued stability and prosperity.
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