TNAG-1158-FCO40-1438-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--1982 — Page 68

CODE 18-77

Mr Williamson

Mr Clift

SECRET

Reference

HKK 040/1

53

нки очы

026/5

No

CGE

123/6 14023/6

BRIEFS FOR THE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO HONG KONG (AND CHINA)

1.

I attach a revised list of proposed briefs for the visit to Hong Kong.

2.

Briefs 6 and to some extent 7(e) are, of course, related to the China part of the tour.

3. As I have indicated, the DOT and DOI will probably need to be involved in the preparation of some of them and the DES and MOD perhaps in one each; but overall responsibility will rest with us.

4. In accordance with Cabinet Office instructions the FCO must submit well in advance a list of proposed briefs together with a statement of Britain's objectives' and 'presumed foreign objectives' in respect of each visit.

5. Mr Thomson, FED would like to have this material from us by the end of this week so that a full list of briefs can be submitted next week through Under Secretaries to the PUS for forwarding to the Secretary of the Cabinet.

6. Whilst we can hardly talk about 'presumed foreign objectives' in respect of Hong Kong and until Ministers, particularly the Prime Minister, have taken a view on the future of Hong Kong we cannot really say what our objective in China will be vis à vis Hong Kong's future, I have nonetheless tried my hand at a first draft. It will need polishing and, of course, FED will have views on the China aspects.

23 June 1982

cc: Mr Thomson FED

SECRET

W Morris

7