TNAG-1241-FCO40-1554-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 43

Mr Clift, Hong Kong Dept

никочо

다

524

3

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ICH 1319

Hong Kong Legal System

The Secretary of State has noted from 'The Times' report of 1 September the point made by a Hong Kong barrister that the laws of Hong Kong are not even written in the Chinese language. The Secretary of State has commented that he does not recall this important point being raised previously. He wonders whether English would, or should, have any particular status in Hong Kong after 1997. This is obviously a point which will need to be considered in the negotiations.

frittohes

1 September, 1983

Cc:

PS

PS/Mr Luce

PS/PUS

Mr Giffard

FED

Sir I Sinclair

(J E Holmes)

Sex (525)

Mr. Hoare

Draft reply pl.

See (533

in consultation with

Mr. Meris