TNAG-1252-FCO40-1585-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 20

布政司署

香港下亞厘畢道

* OUR Ref.:

來函檔號 Your Ref.:

CONFIDENTIAL

Nothing much tre here

(192)

GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT

LOWER ALBERT ROAD

The Cherise are tackling man of this

HONG KONG

vil use for about thaughing is April 1983

R D Clift Esq

18

cam to: Mr Thomson FED

Hong Kong & General Dept F CO

* pa on tehnos f0/5

1

Mr. Maxis 2214

Likenne

Low Shawcross

Dew Dick,

VISIT BY FORMER BELGIAN FOREIGN TRADE MINISTER TO CHINA

I should have recorded earlier that M. Henri Fayat, a former Belgian Foreign Trade Minister (among other things) passed through Hong Kong last month on his way to China. The Belgian Consul-General brought him to see me and I also attended a lunch. M. Fayat, a vigorous 75 year old, said that though he had visited half the countries of the world in his various ministerial capacities, he had never

visited China. He had therefore been pleased to receive an invitation from PIFA, transmitted through the Chinese Embassy in Brussels, for him and his wife to pay a visit. He had been given to understand that Chinese officials wished to discuss international issues with him including, surprisingly, the future of Hong Kong. At his request I gave M. Fayat briefing on the background to the Prime Minister's talks, the outcome of them, the current situation here and the factors making for confidence.

2.

M. Fayat passed through Hong Kong again at the end of last month, after his visit to China. He did not get in touch with me, but according to Christine Loh (Chairman of the Hong Kong Observers), who attended a dinner given for him, he had been surprised at the extent to which the Chinese had sounded him out on the Hong Kong question. They had allegedly asked for his views on sovereignty and what should happen to the territory. M. Fayat had taken the line that the Chinese should not insist on sovereignty as a prerequisite as it would follow as and when other changes take place in Hong Kong.

3.

22/m

I should add that the Belgian Consul-General was somewhat surprised when I told him of M. Fayat's reported remarks. He said that he himself had dined twice with Fayat on his return and that the latter had given the impression. that nothing worth reporting had been said about Hong Kong. So Christine Loh's account should be taken with a pinch of salt.

сс

A C Galsworthy Esq PEKING Chancery BRUSSELS

Yours ever, loomi

HKK040/5 BATAY

RESINED IN SITRY NO. 51

DESK INDEX

(R J T McLaren) ·

2 3 APR 1983

A

CM2514

CONFIDENTIAL