TNAG-1171-FCO40-1452-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 78

CONFIDENTIAL

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

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HKK 040/1

RJT McLaren Esq CMG Political Adviser

HONG KONG

21 May 1982

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04011

PERLU I REGISTRY në 51

282.

ECONOMIST CONFERENCE ON HONG KONG, FRANKFURT 14

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15 JUNE

・F60416

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1. As you know, the Economist are organising a conference in Frankfurt next month entitled: 'Hong Kong: Prospects and Opportunities'. Sir Jack Cater will be participating on a panel available to answer questions.

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2. Enclosed is a copy of an extract of a letter given to me by Sir Jack concerning a speech to be given at the conference by Dr R C Lee of Lee Hysan Estate Co Ltd [Hong Kong and China Gas Company, Bank of East Asia etc].

3. Sir Jack, like the writer of the letter, was concerned 'lest the ideas in the draft speech should be seen as signalling the acquiescence. of a leading Hong Kong businessman in China's acquisition of administrative powers over Hong Kong. Sir Jack tends to agree with the writer of the letter that Dr Lee may have been put up to this, quite possibly by the Chinese.

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We discussed possible action. We agreed that it would be quite out of the question to try to steer Dr Lee off this line. If this got back to the Chinese Government they could read a number of misleading interpretations into it. We thought, however, that it would be useful if Sir Jack could find other Hong Kong business people who were attending the seminar who might be persuaded to put clearly the importance of an independent Hong Kong dollar and of continuity of British administration in order to uphold this. Sir Jack will see what can be done.

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Meanwhile I thought it worth writing to ask whether you have any additional background or information about Dr Lee's intentions at the seminar.

Bu & My Mom 466

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RD Clift

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Hong Kong and General

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