ИКИ 040 5 RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
13 OCT 1983
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THIS DOCUMENT ISCATE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
CMV (83) 7(g)
COPY NO
16
12 October 1983
ANGLO-FRENCH SUMMIT 20-21 OCTOBER 1983
HONG KONG
Brief by Foreign and Commonwealth Office
UK Objective
To give the French a general account of our talks with
the Chinese Government on this subject, should they raise
it.
Points to Make [Defensive]
1. (i) Sino-British talks through diplomatic channels agreed
September 1982. Meetings held Peking. Common aim of
maintaining Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.
(ii) Second phase of talks began July. Four rounds have taken place. Next meeting 19/20 October. Chinese
delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Yao Guang,
British by HMA Peking.
Governor of Hong Kong
participating as appropriate on British side.
(iii) Content of talks confidential.
(iv) We aim to seek settlement acceptable to Britain, China and people of Hong Kong. Their views taken fully
into account.
(v)
Chinese propaganda floats Hong Kong as Special
Administrative Region (SAR) of China, with considerable
autonomy and with lifestyle basically unchanged.
(vi) Most Hong Kong people sceptical of SAR idea. Evidence suggests details rudimentary and basis for
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