TNAG-1171-FCO40-1452-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 132

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258

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нии оно

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Mr Donald

PS/Lord Belstead

1

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2015-

Lord Rhodes wants to be helpful, I'm sure,

Lope he will appel to Sofr.pidal

and I

over Hong Kong.

Arfmald

1775

HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATE: RELATIONS WITH CHINA : 19 MAY 1982

Problem

1.

To reply to Lord Rhodes' letter of 11 May to Lord Belstead

about a reference to the future of Hong Kong.

Recommendation

2.

I recommend that, in view of the sensitive nature of

this subject, Lord Belstead speak to Lord Rhodes before the Debate

on the attached lines. FED agree.

Background

3.

245

252

My submission of 6 May (of which a summary is attached)

describes the present position on the future of Hong Kong. This

was discussed at a meeting with the Secretary of State, attended

by Lord Belstead, on 11 May.

4.

A reference to 1997 on the lines Lord Rhodes suggests

would not be helpful to any of the parties involved at the present

time. In particular the remarks about changing laws and abrogating

treaties could be embarrassing given present concern over the

future of the Falkland Islands and the fact that the Prime Minister

has yet to focus on the question of Hong Kong's future.

In addition,

since the Chinese have not yet made their position clear

they are focussing on the problem it would be unwise for anyone

to jump to conclusions about what may or may not be acceptable to

them.

Blig

13 May 1982

cc Private Secretary

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

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although

Mr Elliott, FED

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