TNAG-1242-FCO40-1555-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 54

THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S PARTY CONFERENCE SPEECH:

"RESERVE" PASSAGE ON HONG KONG

1.

We have been holding talks with the Chinese Government on the

future of Hong Kong since shortly after the Prime Minister's visit to China and Hong Kong in September 1982. At that time the

Prime Minister and Chairman Deng agreed to enter talks through diplomatic channels with the common aim of maintaining stability

and prosperity of Hong Kong.

2. Since then there have been a number of very useful meetings.

The next one is to be held on 19/20 October.

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3. The Government's aim in these talks is to reach a solution that

is acceptable to the British and Chinese Governments and to the

people of Hong Kong.

We are not making any rigid preconditions as

to how this might be achieved, and we are receptive to any proposals that would meet these criteria.

4. The negotiations may take time, but we are getting on with them

as quickly as we can. No timetable has been set.

5. We appreciate that the people of Hong Kong are going through a worrying time while uncertainty over their future persists.

We are

doing our best for them. I urge them to be patient and steadfast. It is the negotiations that count, and their outcome should not be prejudged by anything that may be said outside.