all
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Mr. Dudul
SECRET
MKK040116
REZEIVED IN REGISTRY
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- NOV 1983
ASK OFFICER
PA
Bup Lif Бир
Mr Donald
Private Secretary
Shi
нко
The So-f hos
hod
RECISTAY
Action
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CM23|1
word with
Secry of State (47)
FROM: R D CLIFT, HKD DATE: 17 October 1983
cc: PS/Mr Luce PS/PUS
Mr Heart in te lobby
Mr Giffard
Mr Elliott, FED Miss Neville-Jones,
Planning Staff
ME HEATH'S VISIT TO CHINA AND HONG KONG, SEPTEMBER 7083
Deng,
1. Mr Heath visited China and Hong Kong between 30 August and 15 September 1983. In Peking he saw Deng Xiaoping and Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian. Hong Kong was not raised at the Wu meeting but featured substantially in a two-hour session with Deng on 10 September, at which members of the Embassy were present. who raised the subject, concentrated on explaining the Chinese plan for Hong Kong. He expressed the hope that our Embassy would convey his views to the British Government. Peking telno 879 of 10 September reporting discussion on Hong Kong is attached.
2. Mr Heath subsequently visited Hong Kong where he had a meeting with the Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils (UMELCO) on 12 September. This was a private meeting and no officials were present, but it was reported in the Hong Kong press in general terms. Interest focussed particularly on reports of a disagreement between Mr Heath and some UMELCO members. B,C,D,E My minute of 14 September, and Hong Kong telnos 1344, 1351 and 1352
give details.
3.
Mr Heath subsequently spoke at the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents' Club on 13 September. His remarks on Hong Kong's future were limited to a general hope that a satisfactory solution would be reached and that stability and prosperity would continue.
However, in
a telephone interview from Wellington on the BBC radio programme 'World at One' on 19 September, he noted that the Chinese position was that nothing would happen until 1997, but went on to say that the problem was to get members of the Executive and Legislative Councils to ''see the realities of life''.
4.
Although Mr Heath made a number of helpful points in his discussion with Deng, stressing the difference between the political systems in China and Hong Kong and the need for a practical solution, his row with UMELCO and the general line taken by him with the media have not been particularly helpful.
5. Before Mr Heath made his trip Mr Donald and Sir P Cradock week before. briefed him in London. He returned to London at the end of last. week Given his deep interest in China and the fact that he was
SECRET
/received