TNAG-1189-FCO40-1491-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 48

CONFIDENTIAL

4. I was particularly interested by what Zou Yimin told you. This seems to be further evidence of the lack of sophistication of Chinese foreign policy. It appears to me entirely plausible to suppose that, particularly on issues such as this, where China's own interests are not directly affected, once a simple decision has been taken, probably at a high level of the Party leadership (in this case the directive that China should stand with the Third World against colonialism (British not Argentine)), the matter is unlikely to be re-considered unless there are radical changes in the circumstances. Meanwhile the propaganda machinery, including the MFA, must carry out the directive as well as they can. This makes for a strange mixture of flexibility and rigidity.

Yours ever,

Nigel.

cc:

Mrs Dean, Research Dept Mr Sullivan, Cabinet Office Faklands Unit, SAMD Mr Hoare, HKGD

IDENTIAL,

N J Cox

Far Eastern Department