CONFIDENTIAL
Adler Graip beather Hove Awe
BRIEFING FOR BACKBENCH CONSERVATIVE MPS
THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG
POINTS TO MAKE
1.
Stress confidentiality.
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2. Recall Prime Minister's visit to Peking, September 1982.
Agreement on meetings through diplomatic channel. Common aim
of maintaining stability and prosperity.
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3. Several meetings took place since then between Sir P Cradock
and Chinese MFA.
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Prime Minister stressed that
sovereignty not in her gift. Subject to Parliament's decision.
But she would be willing to recommend the reversion of sovereignty
as part of package involving satisfactory administrative
arrangements post-1997, which would be acceptable to
Parliament and the people of Hong Kong as well as to the
Government of China. Chinese have distorted this in various
leaks, claiming we have conceded sovereingty.
What we have
done is stress that that could only be done on strict conditions.
4.
Second phase of talks began in Peking on 12/13 July.
Governor of Hong Kong attended.
:
5. Friendly atmosphere, but Chinese continued to take firm
line. They stressed that sovereignty and administration were
inseparable. Sir P. Cradock replied that Hong Kong was unique.
We wished to explain to Chinese how it works and hoped the
Chinese would listen with an open mind before committing
themselves to a plan we believe would not succeed.
6. Next session will take place on 25/26 July. Another planned
for 2/3 August. We aim to continue to educate Chinese in
realities of situation and to demonstrate need for insulation
THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN
40
CLOSED FOR
„YEARS UNDER FOI EXEMPTION No. 271).
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CONFIDENTIAL
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