TNAG-1166-FCO40-1446-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 88

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PS/LPS

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SECRET

МКК

117

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FUTURE OF HONG KONG: CALL BY THE AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER : 12 NOON, FRIDAY 22 JANUARY

1.

The High Commissioner has indicated that he would like to talk about the LPS's visit to China and the question of the future of Hong Kong. While it would obviously be helpful to give the High Commissioner a general impression of the relatively forth- coming attitude adopted by the Chinese, there are reasons why we should avoid going into too much detail.

Mire ou 1 (109) 198

2. HM Ambassador, Peking, in a letter of 17 June 1981, reported that, according to a visiting member of the Australian Commission in Hong Kong, the Australian Government was starting to show concern over the future of Hong Kong in view of Australis considerable trade, investment and other interests there. The Australian Government had therefore decided to mention this concern to the Chinese, when a suitable opportunity arose, and to express the hope that the Chinese and British Governments would be able to settle the question in good time. It is not known whether such an approach was subsequently made.

3. In view of their economic interests in Hong Kong it is not surprising that the Australians should feel concern over the future. However, they may not fully appreciate the complexity of the problem or the importance that HMG attaches to the very careful handling of the issue in all contacts with the Chinese.

4. There clearly is a risk of the Australians playing back to the Chinese what we say to them on this subject.

In particular, we should not speculate on the form of any eventual solution. Premature feedback via the Australians could be dangerous.

The attached brief takes account of these considerations

5.

I shall attend the meeting.

21 January 1982

сс

Mr Donald

Mr Elliott, FED

Mr Carruthers, SPD

Вир

R D Clift

Redacted

under FOI

exemption section 27(1)

Hong Kong and General Department

SECRET