CONFIDENTIAL
i
MINIST
VISIT BY THE SWEDISH FOREIGN MINISTER
ESSENTIAL FACTS
1.
The Secretary of State is aware of the background to the talks
on Hong Kong's future.
2. The Swedish Government has shown little interest so far.
However, Mr. Bodstrom recently visited China where the Chinese
raised Hong Kong with him. According to Swedith MFA officials, the
Chinese sounded very confident. Time was on their side. They would
not change the social system in Hong Kong. When Hong Kong returned
to China it would serve as an example of how Taiwan would be
handled.
3. Earlier, in September, Vice Foreign Minister Yao Guang (who
leads the Chinese delegation in the Anglo-Chinese talks on Hong
Kong) raised Hong Kong during a visit to Stockholm. According to
Swedish MFA officials Yao gave a standard exposition of China's
position on sovereignty, administration and the SAR plan.
CONFIDENTIAL