TNAG-1170-FCO40-1450-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 21

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5. THE TUR SUGGESTS THAT ''THE TAIWAN SOLUTION'' IS LESS THAN IDEAL. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT BETTER FRAMEWORK WE COULD REALISTICALLY EXPECT. THIS IS AN INITIAL OFFER AND IN IT NO CHINESE COULD PROPOSE THE CONTINUATION OF BRITISH ADMINISTRATION. BUT THE TAIWAN PROPOSALS IMPLICITLY ENVISAGE THE CONTINUATION OF ADMINISTRATION BY THE PRESENT AUTHORITIES THERE. THE EXACT PARALLEL FOR HONG KONG IS NOT CLEAR, BUT THERE IS PLENTY TO PLAY FOR AND OUR AIM IN FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS WOULD BE TO SHIFT THE CHINESE FROM THE CONCEPT OF A LOCAL ADMINISTRATION TO ONE OF BRITISH ADMINISTRATION.

CRADOCK

IMITED

HK VG D

FED

PS

PS/LORD BELSTEAD

PS/PUS

HR GIFFARD

HR DONALD

COPIES TO ',

SIRE YOUDE

HK vGD

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THIS TELEGRAM WAS NOT

ADVANCED