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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
PMVE (83) C5 REVISE
COPY NO 16
16 November 1983
COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING, NEW DELHI
23-29 NOVEMBER 1983
HONG KONG
Brief by Foreign and Commonwealth Office
UNITED KINGDOM OBJECTIVE
1. To give, if the subject is raised, a general outline of
our talks with the Chinese Government on the future of Hong Kong.
POINTS TO MAKE (DEFENSIVE)
2.
In Bilaterals with Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders ONLY
Keeping your government informed. Fifth round in second
phase of talks 19/20 October, sixth round 14/15 November.
Both jointly described as useful and constructive. At October
meeting we proposed discussion of practical measures to maintain
Hong Kong's stability and prosperity on basis of China's plan
for Hong Kong as Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China
but without prejudice to our own position or to any final
Well received. November session heavier going.
agreement.
Chinese restated their position on matters of principle.
Fleshed out some of detail of their SAR plan for Hong Kong but
apparent these still rudimentary. Signs that Chinese still
see road to further progress in terms of agreement on principles
rather than discussion of details and practicalities. They
differentiate between areas on which they are willing only to
hear our views on practical arrangements post-1997 and areas
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