GR 200
SECRET
SECRET
FM UKREP BRUSSLES 07151OZ NOV 83
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELEGRAM NUMBER 3851 OF 7 NOVEMBER AND TO IMMEDIATE PEKING, HONG KONG
HKK04015
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY - 7 NOV 1983
JOL
524
PEKING TELNO.1153
HONG KONG
DESK OFFICEP
INDEX
PA
REGISTRY Action Taken
Cus
1. AT COREPER LUNCH TODAY JENKINS GAVE A SUMMARY REPORT ON THORN'S VISIT TO CHINA. HE SAID THAT THE CHINESE HAD RAISED HONG KONG AT EVERY LEVEL, TAKING THE SAME LINE. THIS COULD BE SUMMARISED AS FOLLOWS:
(A) CHINA WOULD RECOVER SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997 SEMI COLON
(B) THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD THEN BE CHINESE (BUT HONG KONG CHINESE) SEMI COLON
(C) THERE WOULD BE NO CHANGE IN THE SOCIAL SITUATION SEMI COLON (D) THERE COULD BE REDUCED BRITISH PARTICIPATION IN THE ADMINISTRATION AS A TRANSITIONAL MEASURE.
2. AT THE END OF HIS REPORT (WHICH COVERED OTHER SUBJECTS) JENKINS SAID THAT THE COMMISSION WOULD GIVE A MORE FORMAL ACCOUNT TO THE ANTICI GROUP, PROBABLY IN WRITING. I SAID THAT, AS THE COMMISSION KNEW, THE ANGLO/CHINESE NEGOTIATIONS WERE VERY DELICATE AND ANY DISCLOSURE COULD HAVE SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS IN HONG KONG MARKETS. } THEREFORE URGED THE COMMISSION NOT TO REPORT FURTHER ON HONG KONG AND CERTAINLY NOT IN WRITING SEMI COLON AND ASKED MY COLLEAGUES TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY REPORT THEY MADE WAS TREATED AS STRICTLY
CONFIDENTIAL. THIS WAS AGREED.
BUTLER
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
ED/EKO
ED/FED
ED/PLANNING STAFF
ED/PUSD
D/ED/FUSD(R FLOWER)
RESEARCH DPT(MR WALKER)
LEGAL ADVISER (SIR IAN SINCLAIR)
PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PSAR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR J BULLARD
MR GEFFARD
MR DONALD MR WRIGETT
COPIES TO: (VIA DISTR. ROOM)
SIR PHILIP MOORE BUCKINGHAM PALAC PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL PS/HOME SECRETARY
PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXOFEQUER
PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL
PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND
INDUSTRY
COPIES TO:
(VIA ADR)
MR ROBERTS
NEWS DEPT
SECRET
IT
1
MA BURROWS LEGAL ADVISERS MR COLES NO 10 DOWNING ST SIR A PARSONS MR MARTIN ASSESSLENT STAFF CABINET OFFICE MR GOODALL CABINET OFFICE HR BRENNAN
П
PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL
IT