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HICK 027 R 027/2

RECEIVED IN IPAISTRY

29 MAR 1984

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

DD 280030Z HONG KONG

No

R4

GRS 400

SECRET

DESKBY 280030Z

FM FCO 271700Z MAR 84

TO IMMEDIATE PEKING

TELEGRAM NUMBER 280 OF 27 MARCH

AND TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

„YOUR TELNO 575: VISIT BY SECRETARY OF STATE: ANNOUNCEMENT.

1.

-

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE SUPPLEMENTARIES WHICH WILLBE READ

INTO THE RECORD WHEN THE VISIT IS ANNOUNCED ON 29 MARCH: ( A )*THES SECRETARY OF STATE WILL VISIT PEKING AT THE INVITATION OF

THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER, WU XUEQIAN. THE SECRETARY OF

STATE WILL HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER AND

OTHER CHINESE LEADERS ON ALL ASPECTS OF HONG KONG'S FUTURE

AS WELL AS ON OTHER BILATERAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES.

(B) THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONGKONG IS INTENDED TO

PROVIDE HIM WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET A FIRST HAND VIEW OF

HONG KONG AND LISTEN TO A WIDE RANGE OF OPINION THERE. HE

WILL HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND UNOFFICIAL

MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

HE WILL ALSO MEET ELECTED AND APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVES OF

THE URBAN COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARDS, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF NUMEROU

PROFESSIONAL AND INTEREST GROUPS.

2.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE DEFENSIVE SUPPLEMENTARIES:

(A) WHY VISIT NOW?

EASTER RECESS PROVIDES TIMELY OPPORTUNITY FOR THE SECRETARY OF

STATE TO REVIEW HONG KONG TALKS PERSONALLY WITH HIS CHINESE

COUNTERPART. BOTH SIDES HAVE AGREED THAT THIS WOULD BE USEFUL.

(B) AGREEMENT/CRUCIAL DEVELOPMENT IMMINENT?

IT IS INAPPROPRIATE TO DIVULGE DETAILS OF NEGOTIATIONS.

CAN SAY

H

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