TNAG-1237-FCO40-1550-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 87

CONFIDENTIAL

BRIEFING FOR OPPOSITION LEADERS ON HONG KONG'S FUTURE

POINTS TO MAKE

1.

Stress confidentiality.

2. Recall Prime Minister's visit to Peking, September 1982.

Important from point of view of Sino-British relations. Hong Kong

inevitably discussed. Agreement on talks through diplomatic

channel. Common aim of maintaining stability and prosperity.

3.

Several meetings have taken place between Sir P Cradock

and Chinese MFA. Meetings continuing but limited so far

to procedural matters because of Chinese insistence on premise

of recognition of sovereignty.

4.

Sovereignty key point. We are not inflexible. PM has made

clear to Chinese that sovereignty not in her gift. Subject to

Parliament's decision. But sure that if satisfactory arrangements

for Hong Kong's administration could be agreed, recommendations

would be put to Parliament on the sovereignty question.

5.

Problem of achieving satisfactory practical arrangement.

Main objective to retain Hong Kong's freedom and way of life.

Continuation of present system would be best way of achieving

this. Key lies not in ''British administration'' in colonial

sense but in link with London as guarantee against intereference

by Peking.

6.

Chinese propaganda.

Floating idea of autonomous Hong Kong.

Special Administrative Region of China, linked to Peking but

with assurances of non-interference after 1997. Hong Kong people

very sceptical of value of these assurances.

CONFIDENTIAL

17.

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