TNAG-1172-FCO40-1453-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 96

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CONFIDENTIAL

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348

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Future of Hong Kong

Wonder bel

When I saw him today at the Philippines reception, the First NCNA Director referred to press reports that Senator Howard Baker had raised the question of the future of Hong Kong with the Governor and asked whether they were true. I confirmed that Senator Baker had asked about the future. The Governor had explained that the problem was being approached in a step by step way, and had outlined developments between Sir Murray MacLehose's visit to China in March 1979 and Mr. Atkins' visit in January 1982. He had said that a further step might be taken when the Prime Minister went to Peking but it was unlikely that a complete solution would emerge from that visit. The Governor had not gone into detail. I added that the press reports had not come from Government sources. In responding to press enquiries we had confined ourselves to saying that the Governor and Senator Baker had had a general exchange of views, and had discussed the Senator's trip to China among other things. We were continuing to be cautious in what we said about the future.

2.

Mr. WANG Kuang expressed some surprise that the Americans should be interested in the future of Hong Kong. I said that their interest was natural. Many American companies and banks

were operating here and some had made substantial investments.

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(R J T McLaren)

PA 11-6-82

✓

CS

R D Clift Esq, HKGD, FCO

M. Elliott Esq, FED, FCO M.W. Atkinson, Esq, PEKING

مشاكل

the Mimis 17/6 Mr. Willignons

16/6

CONFIDENTIAL