SECRET
HKD
CABINET: 12 APRIL 1984
HONG KONG
1.
I shall be visiting China from 15 to 18 April and Hong Kong
from 18 to 20 April. In Peking my main task will be to impress
on the Chinese the importance of a binding bilateral agreement
which spells out in some detail what the post-1997 arrangements
will be. I shall also be arguing that, while we want to get on
with the negotiations and look for a signed agreement this year,
their idea of working for a signed agreement by their September
deadline is quite out of the question because there would be
insufficient time for Parliament to consider it before the July
Recess. My third aim will be to argue our case on a number of
important outstanding questions in the talks, such as
nationality and the stationing of Chinese forces in Hong Kong
after 1997.
2.
In Hong Kong there will be an important job of reassuring
people that we are still fighting for their essential interests.
At the same time I intend to make a statement, about which I
shall inform the Chinese beforehand, which will give a foretaste
of the sort of arrangement which we are likely to agree with the Chinese, ie one not involving continued British administration.
This is important, both because of frustration in the territory
at the confidentiality of the talks, and because we need to
start preparing opinion in Hong Kong for a realistic settlement.
3.
We have to steer a tight course between the realities of
our negotiating position with the Chinese and Hong Kong's wish,
strongly reinforced during the visit of EXCO Unofficials last week, that we should adopt a very tough negotiating line. I shall indeed be talking pretty toughly to the Chinese but will want to probe their position very carefully and retain some flexibility for the discussion of an agreement which is likely to take most of the time of the negotiators during this summer.
SECRET