TNAG-1166-FCO40-1446-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 76

DSR 11C

Redacted under FOI exemption section 27(1)

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would be very unsettling to Hong Kong, we would not rule

it out provided that in return we got Chinese acknowledge-

ment that British administration should continue. It

follows from this that we would not want the powers of

a representative to extend to any substantial say in the

government of the Territory. This would put the Governor

and officials in an impossible position and would under-

mine confidence that the status quo would be preserved.

The most that we could concede would be that there should

be 'consultation' on points of common interest.

8. While our long-term strategic aim is to achieve a

continuation of British administration, a vital tactical

objective will be to demonstrate some progress on this

issue when the Prime Minister visits China in September.

Substantive agreement at that stage is very unlikely.

would be satisfactory if the Chinese could agree that it

should be announced that discussions would be opened on

the subject. In leading up to this question of preliminary

the

It

contacts with the Chinese for the Prime Minister's visit

will be a key one. We do not want to run the risk of

putting substantive propositions which they might turn down

in advance. On the other hand some further education may

be necessary to make them appreciate the need for progress.

We need to consider particularly carefully the way anything

further should be said to the Chinese about our views on the

importance of British administration. There will of course

be contacts between the Embassy in Peking and the Ministry

of Foreign Affairs about the agenda for the Prime Minister's

visit.

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