TNAG-1038-FCO40-1288-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 188

CONFIDENTIAL

Original at: HICK 02012

HKI OHoll

Record of sofs's talk with Chinese Fereiau Minister on

2.4.87

13.

This Copy for:

Information only/Action on Para(s)

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51 1 @ MAY 1981

INDEX

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Action Taken

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Huang Hua added that a satisfactory solution had BeenRY

found to the Zimbabwe problem. But the stability of Imbabwe

$18.5.

AN was dependent on greater economic aid! Tanzania was suffering

serious economic difficulties since independence.

It was

necessary to work out a way to break through the stagnation

so as to promote a dialogue. Not all developing countries

favoured the extreme position proposed by followers of the

Soviet Union in the North/South Dialogue. Lord Carrington

then stressed the interdependence of nations. He added that

to achieve a satisfactory agreement it is essential that

neither side is unreasonable. The under-developed countries

should not expect too much and the industrial countries should

make more of an effort to settle the problem. Lord Carrington

said that Britain had given Zimbabwe £160 million and that

the donor conference last week had turned out well.

SIA

Hong Kong

14.

He

Lord Carrington said that he had spent two to three days

in Hong Kong. He had seen the statement given to the Reuters

correspondent by Vice-Foreign Minister Song Zhiguang.

was very grateful to him for it. Everyone in Hong Kong, certainly the British Government, appreciated this statement, and that by Vice-Chairman Deng Xiaoping. Lord Carrington

added that there were one or two indications from Hong Kong

resulting from his visit which he would like to pass on. A

problem existed which was not of China's making. It existed

in spite of China's position. The difficulty was partly due

to the fact that Britain was a legalistic country and enshrined in

British law was the date 1997. The very fact that that date

existed and that the people of Hong Kong and investors there

were brought up to understand it had an effect on confidence in Hong Kong about the future. Lord Carrington said that to both China and Britain, and certainly for Hong Kong, the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong was of the utmost importance.

CONFIDENTIAL

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