CONFIDENTIAL
CALL BY LORD KADOORIE: FUTURE OF HONG KONG
1.
Encouraging the second phase of Sino-British talks under
way, with common aim of maintaining stability and prosperity
of Hong Kong. In this second phase two meetings held in
July and one on 2/3 August. Likely to resume in September after recess. Confident that given agreed common aim, satisfactory solution can be reached.
2.
Attach great importance to maintaining good relations
with China. Projects like the Guangdon Nuclear one help to
bind together UK, China and Hong Kong. Aim is to seek a
solution on Hong Kong's future acceptable to British and
Chinese Governments and to people of Hong Kong, whose views
are being taken fully into account. Interest is to meet our
obligations to the people.
3.
Change
Hong Kong now is thriving, prosperous and viable.
is in no one's interest. Realisation of this in common aim.
4.
China has floated ideas of Hong Kong as autonomous
Special Administrative Region (SAR) under Chinese constitution.
Strong doubts in Hong Kong as to whether this could preserve
Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.
5.
Chinese assurances insufficient in themselves to guarantee
that Hong Kong as SAR of China would function without
interference from Peking. Interested to hear your views.
HONG KONG DEPARTMENT
4 August 1983
CONFIDENTIAL