BACKGROUND
CONFIDENTIAL
1. Mr Parry regularly asks questions about Hong Kong. His particular interests appear to be in the future of Hong Kong and the extension of popular participation in the Government of the territory.
2. The twelfth round in the second, more detailed phase of the Sino-British talks on this subject was held in Peking on 11/12 April. The following joint statement was issued there on 12 April:
3.
"The Chinese and British sides continued their useful and constructive talks on the Hong Kong question on 11 and 12 April in Peking. It was agreed that the thirteenth round of talks would take place on 27/28 April."
The Secretary of State visited Peking from 15-18 April and had extensive discussions on all aspects of Hong Kong's future with Chinese leaders. He is visiting Hong Kong from 18-20 April. It is planned that he should make a statement on 20 April about our position in the negotiations with the Chinese.
4. The reply to Mr Parry's question has been agreed with the Hong Kong Government and Peking.
Hong Kong Department
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
18 April 1984
CONFIDENTIAL