T
Mr Murray
CONFIDENTIAL
CALL ON THE SECRETARY OF STATE BY GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG
1.
The Secretary of State has agreed to see the Governor of
Hong Kong at 3 pm on 10 January. Sir Murray MacLehose is spending
3 days in London on his way back to Hong Kong from Scotland, where
he has been recuperating from a successful hip operation last
November.
A copy of his programme in London is attached: as will
be seen, this includes an extended working session with Mr Blaker,
and it is likely that he will only wish to raise the following
major topics with the Secretary of State.
Anglo-Chinese Relations over Hong Kong and Hong Kong-Chinese Relations
2. Relations with China over Hong Kong continue to be excellent.
Chinese investment in Hong Kong is increasing steadily, as is
cooperation between Hong Kong and Chinese enterprises in developments
on boths sides of the border. Communications links are improving,
and the Chinese continue to show a relaxed and helpful attitude over
such questions as water supplies. The Chinese share our interest in
maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. We very much
welcome these developments, and are conscious of the need as far as
possible to avoid doing anything that may jeopardise relations
between China and Hong Kong, eg over nationality.
Strength of the Garrison
3. Sir Murray is to see Mr Pym and the Chief of the General Staff
to discuss the proposals drawn up jointly by the Hong Kong Government
and the Commander, British Forces, Hong Kong, for a permanent increase
in the Hong Kong garrison. The case for this stems from the fact
that control of illegal immigrants from China is expected to remain
CONFIDENTIAL
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