(2)
The Rt. Hon. Margaret Thatcher, MP
St. George's Building Đảng Công
December 31, 1982
7)
It is against this background that a suggestion has been made which, to my mind, has sufficient merit as to be brought to your attention. Briefly, this is that the UK should abrogate the three so-called unequal treaties on the understanding that in all other respects the status quo should remain as at present, with either party giving the other say twenty years notice of their desire to make any changes.
8)
Perhaps, it is presumptuous on my part to write this letter, but in doing so I have no desire to interfere in negotiations which are the province of others.
9)
What prompts my remarks is that the decision to proceed with the nuclear power station will involve an expenditure estimated at some US$6 billion, and that funds of this importance cannot possibly be raised in an atmosphere of open-ended uncertainty.
10) I believe the question of confidence in Hong Kong's future, which is so essential to the financial aspects of this project, would be satisfied if the Chinese were to agree to a suggestion along the lines indicated above. This, of course, is an unknown factor.
11) Any approach along the lines indicated would have to be entirely unofficial in the first instance with a view to ascertaining whether or not they would be given sympathetic consideration if advanced on an official basis.
12) On this, the last day of a momentous 1982, may I wish you and Mr. Thatcher a Very Happy New Year.
Sincerely yours,
Kodonis:
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