TNAG-1166-FCO40-1446-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 118

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matter of principle China would not make concessions, and would not barter away her principles.

10.

The Lord Privy Seal thanked Vice Premier Ji

for explaining how strongly China felt on this subject. The UK believed that the development of Sino-US relations as well as Sino-UK relations was very important when considering the restriction of the expansionist ideas of the Soviet Union. Any damage to Sino-US 'relations would be very regrettable. He was glad to

hear that the matter was still under discussion, which

was the best way to find agreement. Vice Premier Ji observed that one could not always find agreement by

talking. The Lord Privy Seal replied that on the other hand if one did not talk there was no means of finding

agreement. Vice Premier Ji reiterated that the US should not make unilateral decisions 'during the course of the course of the talks: this was a big problem.

Hong Kong

Redacted under FOI

exemption section 27(1)

/12.