XN000022-1984-03-23 — Page 3

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FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1984

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WE SHALL CONTINUE TO KEEP IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH HONG KONG OPINION, NOTABLY THROUGH THE GOVERNOR AND THROUGH HIS EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, WHO WILL BE VISITING LONDON AGAIN EARLY NEXT MONTH FOR FURTHER CONSULTATIONS WITH MINISTERS. MY HON FRIEND, THE MEMBER FOR SHOREHAM, PAID ANOTHER VERY USEFUL VISIT TO THE TERRITORY BETWEEN 25 AND 28 FEBRUARY, WHEN HE MET AGAIN REPRESENTATIVES OF A WIDE RANGE OF LOCAL OPINION. THESE, AMONG OTHERS, INCLUDED MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARDS AS WELL AS COMMUNITY LEADERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF A VARIETY OF SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROUPS. SUCH VISITS ARE AN IMPORTANT MEANS, OF KEEPING IN CLOSE PERSONAL TOUCH WITH OPINION IN HONG KONG. MYSELF SHALL BE VISITING CHINA IN MID-APRIL FOR TALKS ON HONG KONG WITH THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER AND OTHER CHINESE LEADERS. FROM THERE SHALL TRAVEL ON TO HONG KONG FOR FURTHER DISCUSSIONS. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO BOTH THESE VISITS.

OUR PRESENT TASK, IN SHORT, IS TO EXAMINE WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HOW THE NECESSARY CONTINUITY MAY BEST BE ASSURED. WE ARE, AND REMAIN, OPEN TO ANY PROPOSALS WHICH WILL ENSURE THE CONTINUING STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG AND WHICH WILL BE ACCEPTABLE TO THIS HOUSE, TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. WE ARE STILL NEGOTIATING. THE SHAPE OF THE FINAL PACKAGE WHICH WE BRING TO THIS HOUSE FOR APPROVAL WILL BE CRUCIAL. HONG KONG HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN EVOLVING SOCIETY. IT WILL CONTINUE TO EVOLVE. OUR AIM IS TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WHICH WILL ASSURE GENUINE CONTINUITY. AND AUTONOMY FOR HONG KONG AND THE PRESERVATION OF ITS WAY OF LIFE.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE MEMBER FOR SHOREHAM TS MR RICHARD LUCE.

GOVERNOR, EXCO UNOFFICIALS TO VISIT LONDON

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A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED TODAY THAT THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE AND THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL MAKE ANOTHER VISIT TO LONDON FROM APRIL 3 TO APRIL 6.

WHILE IN LONDON THEY WILL CALL ON MINISTERS AS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROCESS OF CONSULTATIONS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.

THIS WILL BE THEIR FOURTH VISIT SINCE JULY 1983.

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