TNAG-1167-FCO40-1447-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 95

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Mr Donald

Sir E Youde

Par 26/2

RECENT REPORTS FROM PEKING ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG

1.

See (182

(ip)

In the past month there have been three interesting news agency reports from Peking carried by the Hong Kong press on the subject of the future: Reuters 16 January, AFP 19 January and Reuters 6 February. Details are attached.

2.

The Embassy in Peking have confirmed that the Chinese interlocutor in all three cases was Zhong Xidong, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for information, who has been giving a series of lunches to foreign journalists in Peking and who also met the visiting Managing Director of Reuters.

3.

According to the Embassy, Zhong has been reported accurately and it was certainly the impression of the AFP correspondent that he had not stepped out of line. The Chinese had seen the AFP story in the 'South China Morning Post' and had not criticised it.

4.

"

However, the Political Adviser in Hong Kong, commenting on Zhong's remarks to AFP about resolving the future 'so as to ensure a continued British presence' feels that Zhong did step very much out of line. I agree. Although there is no evidence that Zhong was given a dressing down for his remarks, it may be significant that he stuck more closely to the line taken by the Chinese during the LPS's visit when he saw Reuters again on 6 February.

5.

Whatever official view the Chinese hold - if indeed they hold one yet there does appear to be a greater willingness on their part to think aloud about the future. They seem to me to want it to be known that, as they told the LPS, they are now focussing on the problem.

Din

R D Clift

19 February 1982

сс

Mr Elliott FED

Mr Walker Research Dept

Hong Kong and General Department

The significant thing

that the

Speculation and interest over the

puluva

remain at a

2/2

high level!

Artmald

19/2

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