CONFIDENTIAL
Peking on 7/8 December. The following statement was issued there on
8 December:
"The Chinese and British sides continued their
useful and construstive talks on the Hong Kong question on 7 and 8 December in Peking. The two
sides reviewed the course of the talks and the
progress made so far. The eighth round of talks is scheduled to be held on 25/26 January in
Peking.
5. The content of all these talks is confidential. The extent and
level of Hong Kong's participation on the British side is decided in
accordance with the requirements of the talks but the Governor of
Hong Kong is being consulted throughout. He has participated in all the rounds since July. As the Prime Minister made clear in Hong Kong in September 1982, the views of the people of Hong Kong are being taken into account.
6.
HMG's aim in the talks is to seek a solution that is acceptable to the British and Chinese Governments and to the people of Hong Kong. We are not making any rigid preconditions as to how this might be achieved and are receptive to any proposals that would meet these criteria. We are concentrating on the talks and do not regard their outcome as prejudged by anything that may be said outside.
LINE TO TAKE (DEFENSIVE)
7. The CAS should not allow himself to be drawn into discussion
this sensitive subject either in Peking on Hong Kong. If pressed,
he should take the defensive line that:
(a) The talks are a matter for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
and thus outside the limits of his own competence.
(b) It is encouraging that a second, more detailed phase of the
NFIDENTIAL
on