CONFIDENTIAL
ROUTINE
Peking from Hong Kong on 5 April and leaving China on
8 or 9 April.
(b) A visit to Hong Kong combined with one to another country
in the region (eg India or Malaysia)
(c)
A visit to Hong Kong alone.
2.
The Secretary of State is holding a meeting on 20 February
at which it is hoped that a final decision will be taken. In
preparing for this meeting, we shall of course draw on all your
previous advice. But it would also be helpful to have your
views and those of Sir A Donald on how a visit to Hong Kong
alone and one to Hong Kong and China should be handled, together
with some preliminary ideas on possible programmes in each
place. It would be particularly helpful to have your advice on
the sort of issues the Secretary of State should focus on in the
event of a visit to Hong Kong alone. What will Hong Kong be
expecting from him?
3. The Secretary of State has noted the arguments in previous
exchanges of telegrams in favour of a visit to China as well as
Hong Kong. He is not yet convinced that there will enough substance in visits to Peking to ward off domestic criticism and
has commented that we cannot allow the Chinese a right of veto
over visits by British ministers to Hong Kong.
4. Grateful for replies Deskby 190820Z.
HURD
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ