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Mr Giffard
[cc: Mr Donald
HONG KONG: CALL BY THE AUSTRALIAN DHC, 15.00 ON WEDNESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
1. In your minute of 8 September (below) you asked for some guidance on three points raised by Mr Robertson.
2.
On (a), the remarks made to Mr Hayden by Foreign Minister Wu are contained in Peking telnos 777 and 778. These remarks are in line with what the Chinese have been saying for some time in their propaganda campaign promoting the SAR idea. We know, however,
that this is more than a propaganda ploy. What we (and many people in Hong Kong) are saying to the Chinese is that this plan will not command confidence.
3. On (b), the Ta Kung Pao editorial (of 18 August) is reporte in Hong Kong telno 1231 (copy attached with Hong Kong telno 121 Again this is all part of the Chinese campaign to win over the Hong Kong people and make it appear that we have already made concessions. The latter is not, of course, true.
4.
THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN
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CLOSED FOR
YEARS UNDER FOI EXEMPTION NO. 21(1)......
On (c), a copy of the Margaret Ng column in the South China Morning Post of 25 August is attached. This was a generally sensible piece, encouraging Hong Kong Chinese to think for them- selves, to weigh up where Hong Kong's future should lie, and to consider the implications of a change not just of sovereignty but of government too. At the end of her piece she takes the line that 'the Government' should take more of a lead in encouraging younger Hong Kong Chinese to stand up and say what they feel about the Chinese plan without feeling guilty because of their cultural identity. This is a good point. Mr Robertson may have a view.
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5.
Margaret Ng is an academic, a former lecturer at the Chinese University in Hong Kong. She was born in Hong Kong. She is believed to be a member of the Observer's group who take a special interest in the future. She is well regarded in official circles in Hong Kong.
6.
There is no reason why you should not go over this ground with Mr Robertson (except for the last part of para 4 above). One point you might impress on him is the need not to take everything the Chinese say as gospel the talks are one thing, China's propaganda campaign is another.
7.
I attach a copy of what Mr Donald said to Mr Robertson on 20 July. Whitney.
I am also sending separately a copy of the brief for Mr
Dip
14 September 1983
R D Clift
Hong Kong Department
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