TNAG-0851-FCO40-1061-Future-of-Hong-Kong-New-Territories-leases-1979 — Page 9

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C80 1297/79

December 1979

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

We recently discussed this subject and I agreed to let you have ouì vic Chose have been agreed with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Prine Minister's Statement: 4 December

Ne

In a written nawo to a Povilementary Question by Mr Robert Paray MP, arkie whether the subject of the long Kong New Territories lease was discussed during her recent meeting with Chairman Hua Guofeng, the Prime Minister replied:

"There was no discussion of the New Territories lease as nuch, but the subject of Hong Kong's future was torched upon. Both sides agreed that

we shared an interest in maintaining the stability and prosperity of the territory We agreed to keep in contact on the subject."

Chineco Vilova

As regards the New Territories leace, the Chinese Government have made it clear on more than one occasion that they believe it is still too soon to consider this in any detail. This was clearly implicit in the repy that the Chinese Zorcign Minister gave to a question about Kong Kong's future that was raised during his press conference in London on 2 November, when he said:

"The lease is due to expire in 1997. So there is still time. The basic attitude of the Chinese Government in this matter is that when the time comes for resolution we will take anto consideration the interests of investors so that their interests will not be hurt. This came up in the talks yesterday and both sides agreed koer in contact in this matter."

0

A ndudlar public assurance that investorm "put their minds at case" was given by the Chinese Vue Preater Deng Xiaoping to the Covernor of ilong Kong then the two met in Peking in Harca of this year,

Ac theen reeliv: chw, the Chinese authorities are aware of the nece to rwanure Lwentors in How To, bu* their interests v.LL be fully taken into accouni

come to consdale Hoa, Kong's future. For the moment, the dr

mul laborent Ut andintainda, lion, de

13

continuin

in by and standing.