TNAG-1239-FCO40-1552-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 28

LIKD

(435)

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

APS/

From The Minister of State

5 August 1983

pa

Dear Mr Wong

+IKK040/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY Ü AUG 1983

INOFX

PA

427

NECISTHY

Merior. Taken

4. icmasls

Thank you for your letter of 22 July to Mr Luce and enclosure which the Minister has read with interest.

I can assure you that, in our talks with the Chinese Government on the future of Hong Kong, the views of the people of Hong Kong are being taken fully into account. Both we and the Hong Kong Government welcome views from as wide a spectrum as possible; we were therefore grateful to receive your contribution, and have taken careful note of it.

Given the joint Sino-British aim of maintaining Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, we are confident that our talks on Hong Kong's future can be drawn to a fruitful conclusion. The British Government's aim in the talks (which entered a more detailed phase early in July) is to seek a solution which will be acceptable not only to the British and Chinese Governments but also to the people of Hong Kong. As the enclosure to your letter indicates, Hong Kong is thriving, prosperous and viable. We fully recognise that it is in no-one's interest for this to change.

Yours sincechy

Sylois Berlay

S F Bailey (Miss) Assistant Private Secretary to Mr Richard Luce MP

Jason M K Wong Esq Organising Secretary

The Reform Club of Hong Kong 801 Fu Hing Building

10 Jubilee Street

HONG KONG