TNAG-1144-FCO40-1424-Hong-Kong-and-the-Falkland-Islands-crisis-1982 — Page 93

GR 239

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FM PEKING 270834Z APR 82

TO IMMEDIATE F C O

TELNO 244 OF 27 APRIL

AND INFO PRIORITY UKMIS NEW YORK

SÁVING INFO HONG KONG.

we

1. IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONING FROM REUTERS, THE CHINESE MFA THIS AFTERNOON ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT.

''THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT EXPRESSES ITS CONCERN OVER THE CURRENT TENSION IN THE AREA OF THE MALVINAS ISLANDS. VARIOUS SESSIONS OF THE NON-ALIGNED CONFERENCE HAVE INDICATED TO WHOM THE SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE MALVINAS ISLANDS BELONGS. IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT OWING TO THE ACTION TAKEN AGAINST SOUTH GEORGIA NEW OBSTACLES HAVE OCCURRED IN THE COURSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES CONCERNED. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HOPES THAT BOTH BRITAIN AND ARGENTINA WILL EXERCISE RESTRAINT AND SETTLE THEIR DISPUTE OVER THE MALVINAS ISLANDS REASONABLY AND PEACEFULLY

THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS''.

2. IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS FROM REUTERS, WE HAVE CONFIRMED THAT I HAVE SEEN SENIOR CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS TO PUT THE BRITISH POINT OF VIEW, AND THAT I RECEIVED A NOT UNSYMPATHETIC REPLY.

3. TODAY'S STATEMENT IS LESS HELPFUL THAN ZHANG CANMING'S MILD REACTION YESTERDAY (MY TELNO 243). BUT I PROPOSE TO WAIT UNTIL A SUITABLE OPPORTUNITY OFFERS IN THE NEAR FUTURE BEFORE TAKING IT UP

WITH M.F.A.

CRADOCK

FCO

S AM D

CABINET OFFICE

ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION

FALKLAND ISLANDS

COPIES TO

PS/CHANCELLOR SIR K COUZENS MR LITTLER

MR HAWTIN

MR PERETZ

TREASURY

MR TRENT

SIR M PALLISER CABINET OFFICE

MISS DICKSON (EIP DIVN) D/ENERGY

MR A WILLIAMS RM60

DOWNING STREET WEST

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