TNAG-1233-FCO40-1546-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 110

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FUTURE OF HONG KONG BRIEFING OF DOI OFFICIALS 4 JANUARY 1983

O

Development of Chinese attitude 1979 - 82

1.

Chinese tolerance of Hong Kong combined with maintenance

Hong Kong and Macao problems left

of their political principles.

over from history to be settled when time was ripe.

Nineteenth

century treaties unequal.

2.

But economic benefit to China from Hong Kong.

Foreign

exchange. Port. Financial facilities.

3.

Hence initial reluctance to tackle.

that investors should put hearts at ease.

1979 Governor told

General assurances

continued until early 1982 when Mr Atkins visited China. Line

then was safeguarding of sovereignty and maintenance of stability

and prosperity. As year progressed Chinese refined these ideas.

By Prime Minister's visit the essentials were:

Sovereignty to be recovered;

(a)

(b)

Hong Kong to be a Special Administrative Region;

(c)

The economic system, including capitalism, and the

'way of life' would continue.

Prime Minister's Visit

4.

Concerned with principles, not detail.

Chinese took a

hard line. PM explained HMG's obligations to Hong Kong and

constitutional problems of undertaking to give up sovereignty.

However agreement on taks with common aim of maintaining stability

and prosperity.

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