TNAG-1168-FCO40-1448-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 84

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SPONSORED VISITOR FROM CHINA : PROFESSOR XUE MOUHONG

1. Please see the papers concerning Peking's proposal of a sponsored visit to Britain (via Hong Kong) for Professor Xue.

2. Subject to Hong Kong's views, I think we should lend our support to this idea. Many of the reports we are getting show that there are plenty of senior Chinese officials still unable to see that business confidence in Hong Kong is linked to the continuation of British administration. Liao Chengzhi, with whom Eric Hotung talked, and Wang Kuang are but two examples.

3. Professor Xue, on the other hand, seems to accept that the continuation of British administration is a realistic option (paragraph 4 of Mr Atkinson's minute of 17 February refers). I therefore believe that we and Hong Kong should encourage him in this line of thought, in the hope that he spreads the word to some of the doubters back in Peking.

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If you agree, I will minute (or perhaps (a word with) Information Department supporting the idea.

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