TNAG-1168-FCO40-1448-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 119

Redacted under FOI exemptions 23 or 24

SECRET

7%

93

GR 172

SECRET

FM HONG KONG 821003Z MAR 82

TO PRICRITY F C O

TELEGRAM NUMBER 206 CF 2 MARCH

INFO PEKING (PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR)

FOR DONALD FROM GOVERNOR

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

HKK

040/1

Wolper, pas 413

م کیا

42

THE NCNA FIRST DIRECTOR, WANG KUANG, HAS INVITED ME TO A

FAREWELL DINNER ON 31 MARCH, IF I DO NOT RAISE THE QUESTION OF THE FUTURE, PARTICULARLY AS I HAVE DISCUSSED IT WITH HIM OFTEN, HE

MIGHT DEDUCE THAT ZHAO'S STATEMENTS TO MR. ATKINS HAVE SOMEHOW

TAKEN THE HEAT OUT OF THE ISSUE, DESPITE THE CONTINUING EVIDENCE OF CONCERN IN BUSINESS CIRCLES AND THE PRESS.

2. SUBJECT TO YOUR VIEWS, AND TO ANY NEW POINTS WHICH MAY EMERGE DURING THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S VISIT NEXT WEEK, I WOULD PROPOSE

TO DO IT IN TWO WAYS :

(A) THE PEASONS WHY IT IS NOT POSSIBLE SIMPLY TO IGNORE THE 1997

DATE, AND THE NEED FOR ACTION TO BE TAKEN SOON IF CONFIDENCE

IS TO BE MAINTAINED FOR LONGER THAN 2-3 YEARS.

Поз

Set.

See (91

seel

(19)

(B) THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ZHAO'S REMARKS TO THE LORD PRIVY SEAL.

MY AIM *CULD SIMPLY BE TO GET WANG KUANG TO EXPLAIN AND INTERPRET

WHAT ZHAC SAID, WHILE FIRMLY REFUSING TO BE DRAWN ON THE IMPORTANCE OR OTHERWISE OF CONTINUED BRITISH ADMINISTRATION (YOUR

TELNO 127).

MACLEHOSE

HICK

026/8

(38)

1982

LIMITED

HD/HK & GD

HD/FED

PS

PS/LPS

SIR E YOUDE

MR GIFFARD

MR DONAL

SECRET