TNAG-0845-FCO40-1055-Visits-of-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-officials-to-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 162

CONFIDENTIAL

VISIT OF MR PETER BLAKER MP TO HONG KONG: 23-25 SEPTEMBER 1979

BRIEF NO. HK7:

PRESS CONFERENCE

POINTS TO MAKE IN ANSWER TO QUESTIONS

BRITISH GOVERNMENT POLICY TOWARDS HONG KONG

1.

The British Government regard Hong Kong as a success story,

and greatly admire all that has been achieved here. We accept

that we have a special responsibility towards the territory, and

will do all we can to promote and defend Hong Kong's interests in

the world.

IMMIGRATION INTO HONG KONG FROM CHINA

2. We are well aware of problems created by high level of immi-

gration. We have pressed Chinese Government to take effective

action, and it is clear that they have made genuine efforts both

to reduce the numbers being allowed to cross legally, and to stem

the flood of illegals. But the situation is still far from satis-

factory and we shall continue to urge the Chinese to do more.

2

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

3. The Chinese clearly have a realistic appreciation of the part

Hong Kong can play in their drive for modernisation. The reassur-

ances given to the Governor by the Chinese leaders during his visit

to Peking were clear and emphatic.

Sino-British relations are

excellent: we are looking forward to the visit of the Chinese

Premier, Hua Guofeng, to Britain next month. So the outlook is

very good.

CHINESE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG

4.

We are aware that the Chinese raise the question of official

CONFIDENTIAL

/representation

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