TNAG-1032-FCO40-1282-Possible-visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-H-1981 — Page 17

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Private Secretary

CONFIDENTIAL

PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO CHINA

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The South China Morning Post' in Hong Kong carried an article on 30 November saying that the Prime Minister is expected to raise the question of Hong Kong's future during a visit to Peking planned for next year. (September was mentioned as the most likely timing).

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The article was written by Michael Jones of the 'Sunday Times' who recently spent a week in Hong Kong as the guest of the Hong Kong Government. It is not possible to tell from the article who the source of the story was and I have no idea who it might have been.

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We had expected that if the Prime Minister's visit was confirmed this would lead to speculation of talks on Hong Kong's future, but not so far in advance.

2 December 1981

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PS/LPS

PS/PUS

Sir E Youde

Mr Donald

Mr Elliott, FED

News Department

in

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

CONFIDENTIAL

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