TNAG-1168-FCO40-1448-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 121

CONFIDENTIAL

5.

Hotung's visit, I think, gave us a useful reminder that, despite some mildly encouraging signs from the LPS's visit, the Chinese are still far from understanding the Hong Kong problem. Our aim, I suggest, and the aim of Senior Hong Kong businessmen such as Hotung, should be

to concentrate Chinese minds on it and its elements, particularly confidence. Currently they are preoccupied, almost obsessed, by the intractable problem of Taiwan. Hong Kong, a soluble problem, commands relatively little attention.

cc:

Yours ever

Michael Achinson aclingen

for

PERCY CRADOCK

Sir Murray MacLehose GBE KCMG KCVO

Governor

HONG KONG

(Personal)

CONFIDENTIAL