VISIT OF MALAYSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
POINTS TO MAKE
1.
Since talks were agreed in September 1982 several meetings held with Chinese with common aim of preserving Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.
2.
Second phase of talks began in Peking on 12 July. Useful and
constructive. Reconvened on 25 July. HMG's aim remains to seek a
solution acceptable to the British and Chinese Governments and to
people of Hong Kong.
3.
Content of talks confidential. No time-table for them has
been set. We are getting on with them as quickly as we can.
Meanwhile important nothing said or done to damage confidence in
Hong Kong. We do not regard outcome of talks prejudged by anything
said outside them.
4.
Views of people of Hong Kong will continue to be taken fully into account at all stages. These made known through variety of
official and unofficial channels. Hong Kong's Executive and Legislative Councils play valuable role in this context.
5.
Hong Kong Governor attending talks as and when necessary as member of British delegation. Attended on 12/13 July and for
current session.
6.
Chinese propaganda has floated idea of Hong Kong as special Administrative Region of China, with Hong Kong ruled by Hong Kong people.Seeking to persuade people this can be done without major
changes to existing systems. Although some Hong Kong people
attracted to idea, most believe it would not work without some
guarantee that Chinese, would not interfere, as has been provided hitherto by British administration. Moreover Hong Kong's prosperity