TNAG-1242-FCO40-1555-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 88

From....

Commissioner, London Office

Ref. 1) LO/COM/MISC

Secretary for Security

594

To...................

Tel. No.

01-499 9821

8 September 1983

Date..

Your ....................... in...................

dated

Chinese Embassy Celebration

of National Day

9/9

O, Far Morris on Reg pi copy

&

to FED. (3) Pa

CM13/9

Invitations have been received from the Chinese Embassy to the Commissioner, the head of our Liaison Division and Assistant Commissioner, Headquarters to attend with spouse at their reception at Selfridge Hotel on Thursday, 29th September (6:30 - 8:00 pm). This is to celebrate the 34th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China.

2. Unless the pattern has changed, the Embassy has been in the practice of hosting receptions in celebration of the occasion as follows:

(a)

(b)

at Selfridges--for expatriate guests, including HMG officials and diplomatic correspondents; and

at the Embassy--for community contacts, including members of the Chinese media.

Hitherto, the Assistant Commissioner and the head of our Liaison Division have been invited to the "community" function; and this would be their first invitation to the "expatriate" gathering.

3.

Advice was sought from FCO/HKD and the view was that this suggested an encouraging sign that the Embassy was according recognition to HKG's representative office. It is possible that others may interpret this as the Embassy's possible desire to address guests at the "community" function more freely. Interesting thought but perhaps not necessary.

4. Secretary (General Duties) was in the office yesterday and the opportunity was taken to consult him. His advice was that whilst he saw no objection to the Commissioner attending, the policy in Hong Kong was to maintain attendance at previous years' level.

.../

In the

CONFIDENTIAL

MKK040/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

29 SEP 1983

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY

Taken