TNAG-0848-FCO40-1058-Future-of-Hong-Kong-New-Territories-leases-1979 — Page 173

Original at:

1

This Copy Ven

HICK.ORG/3.

Information only/Action on Para(s)

SECRET

HER QUO/!

RECEIVER

3

O

FED

INT

No

Jista

Lee.

එ

Invitation to Governor of Hong Kong to visit Peking

Dr Owen has seen Mr Cradock's telegram no 109 of 25 January, recommending that the Governor should go to Peking before the Secretary of State himself and sound out the Chinese about the leases.

Dr Owen thinks that this proposal makes sense. In his view, the Governor is well respected in Hong Kong and in the UK. He is also a very experienced China hand. Any new Governor is unlikely to have such advantages in his early years, and we should exploit to the full the period during which Sir Murray MacLehose remains in office. Dr Owen therefore agrees that the Governor should go in March, and sound out the Chinese, without commitment.

Meanwhile we should send a note to the Prime Minister to keep him informed. I should be grateful

for a draft.

I fm Wala

(G G H Walden)

26 January 1979

cc:- PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts

PS/PUS

Sir A Duff Mr Murray Head/HKGD

SECRET