TNAG-1240-FCO40-1553-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 53

Mr Donald

579

Reg

SECRET

Bu 2 wedn.

CHORD CM

NORD2518

Ks

the shall see

Mr. How

to. Denald's raparse i-d..c.

Enth

FROM: MARK ELLIOTT, FED

DATE: 16 AUGUST 1983

remsee 22/8

RECEIVED IN REGIST

Max. Prijst 25 AUG 1993 cc:

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY

Mr Chift, HKD

Miss Neville-Jones,

Action Tuxen Planning Staff

Mr Williams, UND

W/ CHISH (with ref)

475

A

attached

VISITS BY CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER:

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

1. Peking telno 779 reports on Wu Xueqian's plans for overseas visits this autumn. The Chinese have now asked for a bilateral in New York.

2.

row confirmed on 27 September, and since Wu is likely himself to make this

UKMUS'NY

Ano 699.

M

HKD and we see advantage in trying to arrange a meeting between the Secretary of State and Wu in. New York. China is down to speak in the General Debate at the UN General Assembly

address, his visit will probably overlap with that of the Secretary of State (25-30 September). As Mr Clark says, а meeting of this kind would be natural and discreet. Sir P Cradock has seen Mr Clark's telegram and endorses his view. In the light of developments in the Hong Kong negotiations we could decide nearer the time whether the meeting should deal only with Hong Kong or also cover international questions of common interest.

3.

fisee relho 699)

Lakmis

UND will be making their usual trawl of Departments bidding for UNGA bilaterals later this month. Unless you disagree we shall then make a strong bid for a bilateral with Wu.

4. At this stage we do not think we should ask Wu to stop over in London on his way back from Washington (on about 15 October). As Mr Clark says this would raise public expectations and risk giving a false signal to the Chinese (the Peking negotiations might stagnate while the Chinese waited to see whether Sir G Howe had some concession up his sleeve). But Wu has an outstanding invitation to visit this country, and if the Chinese propose dates we could hardly refuse unless there were obviously over whelming calendar difficulties. However I think a Chinese initiative of this kind is unlikely unless the Peking negotiations have already hit rocks; Wu is new to the game and will probably be happy to leave the negotiations in Yao Guang's hands for as long as possible.

5.

A draft telegram is attached, now

slightly amended in the light of VIMIS New York to the 699 just received.

Mark Shish

Mark Elliott

SECRET