TNAG-1242-FCO40-1555-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 39

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Mr Morris

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CPPCC REUNIFICATION

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1. On 29 September the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) set up a special office to work-for the country's reunification. The office is composed of 27 members headed by Qu Wu, an eighty-five year old Vice Chairman of the Kuomintang Revolutionary Committee. According to him the office will publicize policies on reunification, study the political, economic and social conditions in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, strengthen contacts with people who are in Hong Kong and Macao working for reunification as well with Taiwan compatriots, and it will send its members abroad and invite patriotic persons to come from China to abroad.

2.

The

Judging by the backgrounds of the members of office, the emphasis will be largely on promoting policy towards Taiwan. only member I could identify with strong Hong Kong connections was Wang Kuang, a deputy head of the office and former First Director of NCNA in Hong Kong. The rest are mainly elderly ex-KMT officers and officials, with a smattering of returned overseas Chinese and former capitalists.

3. The CPPCC is not a particularly influential body in the Chinese political system. Its Reunification Office will have little effect on the formulation of policy towards Taiwan and Hong Kong. Nonetheless it is likely to be used as a further channel for developing contacts with Hong Kong and propagating China's views on the territory. One of the members of the Office, Zhang Jingli, has already been active in this regard. He and Wang Guangying, as officials of the All-China Federation of Industry and commerce were the hosts for a delegation from the Hong Kong Factory Owner's Association which visited Peking in November 1982. Zhang was Manager of the Dasheng Textile Company in Nantong before 1949. Given the background of such members office, it may be particularly used by the Chinese for trying to assure businessmen that they do not stand to lose by reunification.

CODE 18-77

4 October 1983

Cc:

Mr Cox, FED Chancery, Peking APA, Hong Kong

R F Wye

Far Eastern Section Research Department OAB 2/126 273 5044

Hi Hath, Assersman Staff.

CONFIDENTIAL

NKK0401

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY 12 OCT 1983

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