TNAG-1171-FCO40-1452-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 90

CODE 18 77

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference

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DRIVE, MI ŽEĆAstri me 51

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Mr Morris

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Mr Williamson o.r.

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M. Clift

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Pas 2615

FUTURE OF HONG KONG: FRANKFURT SEMINAR

attached

See

1. I attach a copy of an extract of a letter given me by Sir Jack Cater. He did not tell me who the writer was but as you will see it concerns a speech to be given by Mr R C Lee of the Hong Kong and China Gas Company, Bank of East Asia etc.

282

2. Sir Jack, like the writer of the letter, was concerned lest the ideas in the draft speech should be seen 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 Mr Lee may have been put up to this, quite possibly by the Chinese.

3. We discussed the possible action. We agreed that it would be quite out of the question to try to steer Mr 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.

4.

Meanwhile I think it would be worth my writing to Mr McLaren about this in case they have any cross-reference about Mr Lee's contacts or intentions at the seminar. I should be grateful for a draft.

RD Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

19 May 1982

to hee her for

the Chines

many year been my curse to

he in (or was) the principle

impower of Chinese rice and regard by sonice

Jellow traveller or at least a

Am

fet cat.

CONFIDENTIAL

Judiano.

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