TNAG-0743-FCO40-947-Relations-between-China-and-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 303

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to inform NCNA in advance, but it would be clearly undesirable for the Hong Kong Government to get involved in a negotiation

about the terms of what should be said.

9. The fact that the Chinese Foreign Minister will be visiting this country in mid-October is also relevant. There can be no doubt that the Chinese approach was carefully con- sidered in Peking and a rebuff might be misunderstood by the leadership. Indeed, it could cause the Chinese to press for an official representative on the ground that present arrangements are unsatisfactory.

RECOMMENDATION

10. On balance I believe that the Chine se invitation is a gesture which we should welcome. I therefore recommend that the Governor be authorised to accept. I also recommend that there should be no change for the time being in our position on official Chinese representation, and that the Governor should be authorised to make this clear to EXCO and, if necessary, to the local press.

FED agree.

11. I submit a draft telegram accordingly.

Rukunden

18 September 1978

cc:

PS

PS/PUS

FED

адрес

and

RJT McLaren

Hong Kong & General Dept

The Deportment discussed with me

I entirely

entirety agree

beforehand,

with the recommendation

and with the preceding arguments.

18/9

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