TNAG-1248-FCO40-1562-Press-reports-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 86

CODE 18.7"

(157)

Mr Clift HKD

CONFIDENTIAL

FUTURE OF HONG KONG : 'THE GUARDIAN'

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Referch KK04012

DESK

INDEX

19 JUL 1983

1CM1911

1. You asked if I could add anything to-Peking-telno-674-

2.

(159)

We do not know if the 'Los Angeles Times' has reported the alleged interview; the 'International Herald Tribune' often carries its material on China, but nothing on these lines has so far appeared there. Thus at present we have only Mr Gittings' report; he is a respected Sinologist

Some years ago he staged a minor demonstration at the FCO, having gained access on the pretext of calling on the Head of FED.

3.

The Los Angeles Times' has a resident correspondent in Peking, Michael Parks. Like other journalists there he probably spends more time with the foreign community than in search of Chinese sources. I met him in Peking last October. He struck me as an affable man

4.

a.

1

b.

5. The Guardian' have now told News Department that Mr Gittings was quoting from a syndicated report. It is therefore likely to appear elsewhere.

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN

CLOSED FOR

6 YEARS UNDER FQI EXEMPTION No.12

ممالکه

N J Cox

Far Eastern Department W82

14 July 1983

cc PS

PS/Mr Luce

Sir J Bullard

Mr Donald

Mr Roberts, News Dept Mr Thomson, FED

233 5539

ле

14.7

Mr. Walker

87417 бой

Mr. Geor

ра

CONFIDENTIAL

1. useful 214/