TNAG-1040-FCO40-1290-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 133

CODE 18-77

Reference...

225

Mr Williamson aus.

Mr Friar

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

SECRET

MICK RECEPAND

DESK INDEX

лю

04 BOARY HD. ST

1 1 NOV 1981

FA

211.11

on Taken

Pars 13/1

1. Mr Michael Banks of Trafalgar Holdings telephoned to say that Mr John Wu of the same company had recently been in Peking and had got a view on Hong Kong's future from a Vice-Minister of the Metallurgical Industry (un-named).

2. The Minister apparently said that China had a solution ready. This involved a three-way administration of Hong Tong (China, Britain and local Hong Kong interests) with China getting rent from Hong Kong taxation.

3. Mr Wu apparently said that he thought the idea was a completely non-starter. It certainly is and I very much doubt whether the Vice-Minister knew very much about the subject at all. It is,

I suppose, of some interest that he was prepared to speculate.

4.

Not, I think, worth reporting to Hong Kong or Peking.

R D Clift

10 November 1981

Hong Kong and General Department

cc Mr Davies, FED

SECRET