TNAG-0851-FCO40-1061-Future-of-Hong-Kong-New-Territories-leases-1979 — Page 121

73164

PRURME G

OCT 20/79

ENC HX

FOR ATTENTION OF

MR. PETER BLAKER

Spinen Hutchan- dept. to reply afte

Chariman thuas vinü.

B.V. 56.79

fej 30.10 W8/1

ToPleopy notes

MINISTER OF STATE

FORLIGN AND COMMUNALALTH OFFICE

KW

Hick oudi

j

files 30, 40, L

Contayz

249

ADD IN REGISTER M3.

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GJ

KINDLY CONVEY THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE TO THE RT. HUN, MRS. MARGARET THATCHER, PRIME MINISTER:

See 1270

ON THE OCCASION OF THE VISIT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM OF MR. HUA GUOFENG, CHAIRMAN AND PREMIER OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, THE HONGKONG CIVIC ASSOCIATION REITERATES ITS ADMIRATION AND SUPPORT FOR YOUR IMAGINATIVE EFFORTS IN SEEKING REDUCTION OF THE FLOW OF REFUGEES INTO HONGKONG FROM VIETNAM,

1

CURRENTLY, A MOST WORRYING ASPECT IS THE LANGE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENTER INC HONGKONG FROM CHINA, BOTH LEGALLY AND ILLEGALLY, WE SINCERELY HOPE THAT YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN DISCUSSING WITH PREMIER HUA CUOPENG EFFECTIVE WAYS TO REDUCE THE LXCESSIVL IMMIGRANT FLOW TU A MORE MANACEAGLE LEVEL ACCEPTACLE TO THE HONGKONG AUTHORITIES.

OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE TO THE CONTINUED ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF HONGKOL TO ITS FUTURE STATUS AFTLK 1997. MANY FAR-SIGHTED PEOPLE IN HONGKONG WISH TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE INDUSTRIAL MODERNIZATION OF CHINA, PARTICULARLY IN THE SOUTH CHINA PROVINCES. THEY HOPE THAT THE FUTURE STATUS OF PONGKU TO WILL BE MORE FULLY CLARIFIED, ESPECIALLY INCL JOINT VENTURES AND LOVE-TLAM INVESTMENTS IN SHENZALJ SPECIAL MUNICIPALITY AND ADJACENT AREAS IN GUANGDONG ARE DEING PLANNED THROUGH HONGKONG AS A CENTRE OF INVESTMENT CAPITAL AND TECHNOLOGY.

FOR HONGKONG TO REMAIN STABLE AND TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED SO AS TO MAKE A DIC HIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE INDUSTRIAL MODERNIZATION OF CHINA, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT DISCUSSIONS SHOULD NOW BE INITIATED TO ELTALLISH ON A MORE CUFINITIVE BASTS THE FUTURE STATUS OF HONGKONG ACTER 19 7. UNLESS SUCH CLARIFICATION HAPPENS VERY SOON, THE MOMENTU FOR HONOKUYO'S TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT COULD BE SERIOUSLY HELD BACK TO THE LLTAIMENT OF THE LONG-TERM ECONOMIC GROWTH OF HONGKONG AND ADJACENT AREAS,

CIVIC ASSOCIATION ASSUKES YOU OF ITS SUPPORT FUR ALL THE