TNAG-1239-FCO40-1552-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 83

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THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG:

OF HONG KONG

ACCEPTABILITY OF PROPOSALS TO THE PEOPLE

1. The Queen's Speech stated that the Government "will continue

talks with China on the future of Hong Kong with the aim of reaching

a solution acceptable to this Parliament to China and to the people

of Hong Kong". This is exactly the same formulation as used in the

Secretary of State's message to the Governor of Hong Kong on17 June.

It goes further than the Prime Minister did when she visited Hong Kong in September 1982, but a similar line was taken by Lord Belstead in the Lords in October 1982. The more specific line has

developed in order to maintain confidence in Hong Kong.

2. During her press conference in Hong Kong on 27 September,

1982, the Prime Minister said that:-

"I speak not only for Britain but for Britain's responsibility

for Hong Kong. We have been having consultations with them and shall continue to do so. There are many ways in which people's views can be expressed....we have not formulated a precise method yet but we are very much aware of the need to keep in close consultation with very many groups in Hong Kong

and generally with all the people

It is their future

we're talking about and of course we have to consult and

involve them".

Lord Belstead said in questions in the Lords on 14 October 1982:

3.

"Her Majesty's Government's aim is to preserve the stability and the prosperity of Hong Kong in a way which is acceptable to Parliament and to the people of Hong Kong."

In a letter of 1 February to Mr Robert Adley MP, Lord Belstead referred to HMG's" aim of reaching an agreement on Hong Kong which is acceptable to HMG, the Chinese Government and to the people of Hong Kong". A similar formula was used in the Prime Minister's letter of 10 March to Zhao Ziyang. This was also the press line

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