SECRET
PRODUCTIVE: WITHOUT IT I AM OPTIMISTIC THAT EXCO WILL ACCEPT THE PROPOSITIONS. IN ANY CASE, EVEN IF THEY DID REACH A DECISION ON DECEMBER 18TH THERE COULD BE NO PROSPECT OF FORMING THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY SUFFICIENTLY QUICKLY TO ENABLE LETTERS OF INTENT TO BE ISSUED OR OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE SIGNED ON THE 20TH.
5. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT HONG KONG WILL BE LOOKING TO THE VISIT FOR A DEMONSTRATION OF COMMITMENT ON THE PART OF THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO THE AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. TO ELEVATE THE PROMOTION OF SINO/BRITISH TRADE TO A POSITION OF ANY PROMINENCE DURING THE VISIT COULD ONLY DETRACT FROM THE IMPACT OF THAT DEMONSTRATION.
YOUDE
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED}
¡
HONG KONG AGREEMENT
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
HD/PLANNING STAFF
HD/PUSD
DEP HD/PUSD
RESEARCH DEPT (MR WALKER) PS
PS/MR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR W HARD ING
MR WILSON
SIR J FREELAND
-2-
SECRET
COPIES TO: (VIA ADR)
MR ROBERTS, NEWS DEPT
MR FIFOOT. LEGAL ADVISERS MR BURROWS, LEGAL ADVISERS
MR MARTIN, ASST STAFF CABINET
OFFICE
MR CARTLEDGE, CABINET OFFICE MR COLVIN, CABINET OFFICE
SIR P CRADOCK, NO 10 DOWNING ST SIR P CRADOCK, ROOM K195