TNAG-1162-FCO40-1442-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--1982 — Page 62

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CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG 180356Z SEP 82

TO IMMEDIATE PEKING

CONFIDENTIAL

HICK 026/5

TELEGRAM NUMBER 453 OF 18 SEPTEMBER

INFO IMMEDIATE TOKYO (FOR SIR P. CRADOCK)

INFO ROUTINE F C O

FOLLOWING FROM POLITICAL ADVISER

PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO HONG KONG

NCNA HAVE INDICATED THAT FIRST DIRECTOR WANG KUANG WISHES TO BE PRESENT AT THE AIRPORT IN ORDER TO GREET THE PRIME MINISTER ON ARRIVAL ON 26 SEPTEMBER. THE GOVERNOR'S INCLINATION IS TO DECLINE THIS REQUEST POLITELY, ON THE GROUNDS THAT MRS. THATCHER'S VISIT TO HONG KONG IS A HONG KONG/BRITISH OCCASION, AND THAT WANG KUANG'S PRESENCE WOULD BE CONSPICUOUS AND WOULD GO SOME WAY TOWARDS ACCORDING HIM THE OFFICIAL STATUS WHICH HE LACKS AT PRESENT.

2. BEFORE REPLYING TO NCNA THE GOVERNOR WISHES TO KNOW WHETHER THE CHINESE WOULD BE LIKELY TO TAKE OFFENCE IF WANG KUANG'S REQUEST WAS DECLINED. IF YOU CONSIDER THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF THIS, THE IMPACT OF WANG KUANG'S PARTICIPATION COULD BE DILUTED BY INVITING E.G. THE DEAN OF THE CONSULAR CORPS AND THE SENIOR

COMMONWEALTH COMMISSIONER.

3. GRATEFUL FOR COMMENTS DESKBY 200600Z."

YOUDE

Po 2114

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LIMITED

#KIGD

FED

MR GIFFARD

THIS TELEGRAM

WAS NOT ADVANCED

CONFIDENTIAL