TNAG-1159-FCO40-1439-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--1982 — Page 5

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5.

Given that the Prime Minister does not plan to give

interviews in advance to Hong Kong correspondents, I consider

it would not be appropriate for her to say anything of any

substance to either Japanese or Chinese correspondents on

the question of the future of Hong Kong. I have no doubt

that Hong Kong would be unhappy if any comments of substance

on Hong Kong attributed to the Prime Minister were to appear

in the Japanese or Chinese media, while members of the Hong

Kong media had been denied access to her.

6.

There is the additional danger that any comment of

substance could prompt the Chinese to declare their position

publicly in advance of the visit, as happened before Lord

Carrington's visit in April 1981.

7.

I recommend, therefore, that the Prime Minister be

urged to keep to the very restricted suggested line on the

future of Hong Kong in any interviews she may give to Japanese

or Chinese journalists before she leaves for the Far East.

H McQuade

12 August 1982

Hong Kong and General Department

I

agree. Artmald

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