TNAG-1011-FCO40-1261-Government-business--debates-and-early-day-motions-on-intern-1981 — Page 43

ADDRESS TO THE CONSERVATIVE FOREIGN AFFAIRS GROUP, 12 MAY: HONG KONG

NATIONALITY BILL

1. Hong Kong's concern over the Bill stems from the desire to underline

the Territory's close connections with Britain and the fear of its

people of becoming 'second class citizens'. This desire is understand-

able, though their fear is groundless. We have gone some way to meet

this concern in Clause 9 of the Bill, on the registration of CBDTs.

The question of nomenclature remains. Hong Kong is not happy with the

CBDT title, which it is felt does not reflect the Territory's close

links with Britain. I am looking at this with the Home Secretary.

VISIT TO HONG KONG (29 MARCH 1 APRIL)

2. My Hong Kong visit went very well. It proved a very useful

opportunity for me to gauge the feelings of Hong Kong's Unofficials

and get the views of the Governor on a wide range of issues and to

re-assure Hong Kong of HMG's commitment to the Territory.

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

3.

We have a strong common interest with China in maintaining the

stability and prosperity of the Territory. I was given specific

assurances, while in Peking, that investors in Hong Kong need have no

worries for the future. The excellent state of relations between our

two countries and between China and Hong Kong does much to reinforce

this.