TNAG-1157-FCO40-1437-Visits-by-FCO-Ministers-to-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 205

DSR 11C

DRAFT

LORD BELSTEAD'S VISIT TO HONG KONG:

6-10 DECEMBER 1982

BRIEF NO

: MEETING WITH UMELCO

сп

Oh man file

Introductory Remarks

Sir S Y Chung, Members of UMELCO,

As you know, this is my first visit to Hong Kong since

assuming responsibility for Hong Kong affairs in the Foreign

and Commonwealth Office in April this year.

I am

delighted to have the opportunity to see Hong Kong for

myself and to meet so many people who take such an active

part in Hong Kong affairs. I am particularly pleased to

meet you, the Members of UMELCO, so early on in my visit.

In September, the Prime Minister congratulated you on the

work you do and in October, the Governor drew attention

to all the work you do behind the scenes. I should like

to add my thanks to theirs. We in London are all very

appreciative of the important and wide-ranging work you do.

One of the main purposes of my visit is to familiarise

myself with Hong Kong and to get to know you. It is

important that we retain our traditionally close working

relationship. But I know you are also expecting me to

talk to you about the future of Hong Kong.

[passage to be drafted later]