TNAG-0841-FCO40-1050-Visit-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-Chi-1979 — Page 48

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HKK026/3

48

in and

responsibility

RECORD OF A MEETING BETWEEN HE THE

VERNOR OF HONG KONG AND

THE

HE MR LIAO CHENGZHI AT THE GREAT ALL OF PEOPLE AT 1730 HOURS ON 29 MARCH, 1979

HE Sir Murray MacLehose

HM Ambassador

Sir Y K Kan

Dr D C Wilson

Mr T JB George

75R8

HE Mr Liao Chengzhi, Deputy

Chairman of the Standing Committing of the NPC

HE Mr Song Zhiguang, Assistant

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr Lia Shi, Vice Minister of

Foreign Trade

Mr Yang Kuang, Head of NCNA

Hong Kong

After initial courtèsies involving a genealogical disquisition which revealed a distant relationship between Liao Chengzhi and Sir Y K Kan, the Governor said that he understood that Mr Liao had a special interest for Hong Kong and he therefore thought it appropriate that they should meet. Mr Liao welcomed the meeting and indicated that discussions could continue either through Wang Guang (of Xinhua) or directly, when he was in Hong Kong. The Governor commented that Wang Guang had been very helpful and that Liao was welcome in Hong Kong at any time. The Governor then recalled his discussions in the morning with Vice-Premier Deng Xiaoping. He did not wish to go over the ground again. The Vice- Premier's analysis of Hong Kong's future had been clearly and

long term

A

He appreciated this. frankly put. He felt that Deng had understood the land lease

л

problem, which was a short term issue.

2. Liao said that Vice-Premier Deng had made the position very clear. He could go no further than what Deng had said. The questions had now to be considered. But from the Vice-Premier's words he was

optimistic for both the long and short term, and thought that all the issues could be solved. China attached great importance to Sino- British relations. Relations between Hong Kong, Guangzhou and other parts of the country were going well. Liao recalled that Deng had said that their policy towards Hong Kong was long term and not one of expediency. Both he and Deng were old men. But no matter who was in power in 20 years time the policy would be implemented as formulated.

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13. The Governor