TNAG-1041-FCO40-1291-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 111

DSR 11C

SECRET

-2-

Chinese and the Japanese that you hope in principle to

visit in the second half of September, and depending on

the reaction of the governments concerned, he could refer

to plans for a visit in the Autumn, if this comes up in

press questioning. We can then start working out the

programme in more details.

3.

We shall need to examine well in advance of your

visit the tactics for handling the tricky question of the

future of Hong Kong and means of preserving confidence and

stability there. One way of clearing our minds would be

to put a paper to OD. I attach a draft of the sort of thing

I have in mind. You will see that it concentrates on the

need to prepare for your visit and to ensure reasonable

latitude for discussion if the Chinese are then ready to

deal with the substance of the problem. I should emphasise

that we can by no means be sure that they will. So far

their line has been to rely upon general assurances.

your visit will arouse expectations, in Hong Kong and

elsewhere, that a solution of the Hong Kong problem is about

We must do our best on the one hand to

persuade the Chinese to look at the question realistically

and on the other to make clear to people in Hong Kong that

the answer will not come quickly. Otherwise confidence there

could be damaged. Meanwhile, there is at least merit in

to emerge.

But

beginning to prepare our negotiating position lest we be

caught out by a slide in confidence in Hong Kong. We need

to be ready with a realistic approach.