TNAG-1249-FCO40-1563-Press-reports-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 205

COMMENT

CONFIDENTIAL

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4. THIS EXERCISE US OF COURSE A CHINESE RESPONSE TO POINTS MADE BY OUR SIDE DURING THE TALKS. THE REFERENCE TO 'SEEKING TRUTH FROM FACTS'' IS NOTABLE. THE ARTICLE POINTED OUT THAT THE FTU SUBSUMED SOME 72 TRADE UNIONS AND IMPLIED THEREBY THAT IT REPRESENTED A GOOD PROPORTION OF HONG KONG LABOUR FORCE AND REFLECTED THE VIEWS OF ORDINARY HONG KONG PEOPLE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE SEEN THE POINT ABOUT INSEP- ARABILITY OF SOVEREIGNTY AND ADMINISTRATION IN THE COMEST:IC CHINESE PRESS. PUBLICATION HERE WIL MAKE IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE CHINESE TO SHOW FLEXIBILITY ON THIS POINT.

CLARK

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

ED/EKD

H/TED

ED/PLANNING STAFF

FD/PUSD

PS

PS/LADY YOUNG

PS/MR LUCE

PS/PUS

SIR J BULLARD

MR GIARD

MR DONALD

MR WRIGETT

THIS TELEGRAM

WAS NOT

ADVANCED

COPLES TO:

MR BURROWS

SIR I SINCLAIR LEGAL ADVISER

MR MARTIN

MR FLOWER

MR COLES

LEGAL ADVISERS ASSESSMENTS STAFF CABINET OFFICE

PUSD

NO 10 DOWNING ST

STR A PARSONS

n

MR WALKER, RESEARCH DEPT

MR ROBERTS NEWS D

GOGGS

!

CONFIDENTIAL