TNAG-1251-FCO40-1584-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 39

CC:

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Тианца

SECRET

1

Sir John Mason, CANBERRA HKK0405

Mr P Wright

Mr Clift

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

1.

14 FER 1933

Reg: Ex My mont

11/2

4.1

Mr. Chief Apa fut Lello to th...

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Then please dicus

how much needs to

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!AF?! about briefing Austrations

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With the approval of the Secretary of State, I have

Secretary briefed Sir Victor Garland about the present state of play on the Hong Kong problem. As you know, I had explained to the Secretary of State that the High Commissioner was aware of

JIC material being made available to his Mission. In addition

there is a strong likelihood that if the subject of Hong Kong crops up during the Chinese Prime Minister's visit to Canberra

in the spring, Zhao is quite likely to give a full account of

the Chinese position to the Australians. These were among the

factors which made it seem wise to brief the High Commissioner

here, particularly as I had received word that he was thinking of discussing the Hong Kong issue with leaders of opinion in

the City.

2.

N/R

generally.

I briefed Sir Victor on 2 February following very closely

the text in FCO telno 442 to Canberra of 22 December, ie the

brief which was sent to Sir John Mason for speaking to Sir G

Yeend. Careful note was taken of the points made. I impressed

on Sir Victor the need to maintain the strictest confidentiality

about the briefing. I said that there was no objection if the High Commissioner informed his Foreign Minister that he knew how

things were going, but he would have to ensure that this was done through an absolutely reliable

channel. I was given

the undertaking quite readily.

And

9/2

3. The High Commissioner asked a few questions as I went through the telegram and I was able to answer quite easily since they all related to the general background (the Treaties, the reshuffle in the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Premier Zhao's recent month-long

absence in Africa with 64 leading advisers).

4 February 1983

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER

SECTION 3 (4) OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958

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