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PRESS
8. Will tackle this problem in low-key fashion so as to avoid
speculation, but already much public discussion in Hong Kong and
British press.
Essential to keep content of our discussions
confidential. But will need to say something to the press after
current visit.
Suggest:
'We talked of Hong Kong, and in particular of the importance
of continuing and expanding cooperation in the economic field
to the mutual advantage of China and Hong Kong. We spoke also
of land leases in the New Territories, and I was assured that
individual leaseholds would be respected.'
CHINESE REPRESENTATIVE IN HONG KONG
9. [If Chinese raise]: Present arrangements work well. Risk of
upsetting confidence in Hong Kong. Could be considered in general
context of concrete measures to sustain confidence of population
and investors.
BRITISH RECOGNITION OF CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY
10. [If Chinese raise]:
Raises very difficult issues. I would
need to discuss with my colleagues. Before doing so would need to
know whether can say it would form part of package that would let
people and investors in Hong Kong know where they stood for a
fairly long time to come.
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