TNAG-1172-FCO40-1453-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 106

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© Anker (Spare for me)

Mr. McQuee

Mar 14 Mr. Williamson J.15.6 Mr. Minio

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as part of a contingency brief future, which we she now

FROM R JT MCLAREN, PA, HONG KONG

DATED 14 JUNE 1982

FOLLOWING FOR R D CLIFT ESG, HKGD FCO

COPY TO

M W ATKINSON ESQ MBE PEKING

M ELLIOT ESQ FED CO

FUTURE OF HONG KONG.

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I AM SORRY THAT YOU HAVE HAD TO WAIT SO LONG FOR A REPLY TO YOUR LETTER OF 30 MARCH ABOUT CONCESSIONS WHICH THE CHINESE MIGHT SEEK IN THE CONTEXT OF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE. THIS IS PARTLY BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN PREOCCUPIED WITH OTHER MORE IMMEDIATE MATTERS CONCERNING THE FUTURE: AND PARTLY BECAUSE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS RAISED IN YOUR LETTER ARE INHERENTLY VERY DIFFICULT.

J

2. WHAT FOLLOWS IS OF COURSE PREDICATED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT AVY CONCESSIONS IN THESE AREAS WOULD BE OFFERED OR EXTRACTED IN THE

FOR CONTEXT OF CHINESE WILLINGNESS TO UNDERSTAND/RECOGNISE THAT THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, THE CONTTINUING PROSPERITY AND STABILITY CF HONG KONG REQUIRES THAT BRITISH ADMINISTRATION SHOULD CONTINUE AFTER 1997. IF THEY ARE NOT SC WILLING- IE THEY DRAW NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN SOVEREIGNTY AND CONTROL- THEN THE OBJECTIVE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS WOULD BE VERY DIFFERENT.