TNAG-1037-FCO40-1287-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 86

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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

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MEETING BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE GOVERNOR OF Ston T HONG KONG : 10 MARCH 1981

ملل

917.3.

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דיני

ANIL

Present

The Rt Hon The Lord Carrington

KCMG MC

Mr Peter Blaker MP Mr Richard Luce MP Mr A E Donald CMG Mr W J Adams CMG

Mr G C H Walden CMG

Mr R D Clift

Mr R M J Lyne

Sir Murray MacLehose

GBE KCMG KCVO Mr D R Ford MVO OBE

59

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

1. Sir M MacLehose said that he hoped the Secretary of State would, during his visit to Peking, put strongly to the Chinese our concerns over maintaining confidence in Hong Kong and the related problem of individual land leases in the New Territories. It was, however, important not to press the Chinese too far if they were clearly unwilling to carry on the debate at that time. It would be necessary to talk to Deng Xiaoping himself. It was impossible to predict how he would react. If Deng accepted that the problem should be dealt with soon, then it would be reasonable to propose that official talks should be started. However, if he merely reverted to the previous Chinese statements it would be best to say that the situation could not be held indefinitely and that strains on confidence in Hong Kong would increase. But it would be pointless

to insist on official talks.

2. Lord Carrington said that he was afraid that Deng might think we were trying to bounce him. We would need a very careful formula to put to him. Mr Blaker asked why the Governor appeared to think that the previous deadline of 1982 was less important. Sir M MacLehose said that the factors affecting confidence in Hong Kong were very

The complex and it was impossible to tie to any specific date. ingenuity of the market could overcome at any rate temporarily some of the problems related to land leases and mortgages. theless confidence would begin to slide within the next few years.

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Never-

Mr Donald pointed out that the Chinese leaders were preoccupied by a number of problems and it would be important not to upset them by pressing the leases point if they were unwilling.

4.

Sir M MacLehose said that the Nationality Bill had increased suspicions in Hong Kong of a deliberate distancing of the UK from the Territory. This could upset confidence in the context for the future. He was sure that the Secretary of State would, during his visit, reaffirm Britain's commitment to Hong Kong. Lord Carrington confirmed that he would do this.

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