ERS 1200
SECRET
SECRET
FM HONG KONG 12111OZ MAR 84
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELEGRAM NUMBER 664 OF 12 MARCH
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
TOP
COPY
HKK0401
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
13 MAR 1984
REGISTRY
180
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
Action Taken
MIPT: FUTURE OF HONG KONG: LEGCO DEBATE
и
0810/3
FOLLOWING IS LATEST DRAFT OF CHIEF SECRETARY'S SPEECH:
T SIP,
I HAVE LISTENED TO THE DEBATE WITH CLOSE ATTENTION AND VERY
GREAT INTEREST. I WISH TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE MEMBERS WHO
HAVE SPOKEN FOR THE DEEP SERIOUSNESS AND GREAT SENSE OF RESPONS-
IBILITY WHICH THEY HAVE SHOWN IN APPROACHING A QUESTION WHICH
AFFECTS THE ENTIRE FUTURE OF THIS TERRITORY AND OF ITS PEOPLE
AND IS OF VITAL CONCERN TO US ALL.
2. AS MR ROGER LOBO SAID, IT IS NOW 15 MONTHS SINCE THE PRIME
MINISTER, MRS THATCHER, VISITED CHINA AND A COMMUNIQUE WAS ISSUED
WHICH STATED THAT THE LEADERS OF BOTH COUNTRIES AGREED TO ENTER
INTO TALKS THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS FOLLOWING HER VISIT WITH
THE COMMON AIM OF MAINTAINING THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF
HONG KONG. IT IS EIGHT MONTHS SINCE THE SECOND PHASE OF THE TALKS
BEGAN. THERE HAVE BEEN NINE ROUNDS OF TALKS IN THE SECOND PHASE.
THE TENTH ROUND WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY OF THIS WEEK. IT HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY REVEALED THAT THE TALKS ARE PROCEEDING
STEADILY AND MAKING PROGRESS AND THEY ARE BEING SUPPLEMENTED BY
INFORMAL CONTACTS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES. THEY ARE KNOW TO BE
COVERING DETAILED GROUND. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS THE EXPRESSED
INTENTION OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO ANNOUNCE THEIR POLICIES
AND GUIDELINES IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR. THESE DEVELOPMENTS HAVE
CREATED IN HONG KONG AN AIR OF EXPECTATION AND GIVEN RISE TO A
CALL FOR MORE TO BE MADE KNOWN OF WHAT THE FUTURE HAS IN STORE.
AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND IT IS ENTIRELY NATURAL AND UNDERSTANDABLE
THAT MEMBERS SHOULD WISH TO RAISE THIS ISSUE OF THE FUTURE IN THE
TERMS OF THE MOTION WHICH IS NOW BEFORE THIS COUNCIL.
3. THERE HAS BEEN MUCH DISCUSSION, IN THE PRESS AND ELSEWHERE ABOUT
THIS MOTION. AS A NUMBER OF MEMBERS HAVE POINTED OUT, IT IS A
PROCEDURAL MOTION, PROPERLY CONSTITUTED AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
STANDING ORDERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. IT DOES NOT
1
SEEK TO BREACH THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE TALKS BY SEEKING DETAILED
INFORMATION NOW ABOUT THEIR PROGRESS. NOR DOES IT SEEK TO LAY DOWN
IN ADVANCE WHAT THE OUTCOME OF THE NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD BE. WHAT
UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ARE SEEKING IS SIMPLY AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS
ANY PROPOSALS FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG IN THIS COUNCIL
BEFORE ANY FINAL AGREEMENT IS REACHED BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND
CHINESE GOVERNMENTS.
SECRET
14.
See
194