TNAG-1253-FCO40-1586-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 147

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Future of Hong Kong:

Briefing the Australians

As you are aware, we have been keeping the Americans up-to-date on the future of Hong Kong

The Australians

however have been given more limited briefing

although our High

Commissioner in Canberra was authorised to bring Mr Hayden and the Australian Prime Minister a little more fully into the picture before Premier Zhao visited Australia in April (your letter of 30 March).

The Australians continue to have a considerable interest in Hong Kong's future because of their significant investments there, the growing importance of their relation- ship with China and their interest in stability in the area.

Mr Hayden, the Australian Foreign Minister, is passing through Hong Kong from 3 to 5 July as part of a wider Asian tour. His primary purpose is to discuss regional economic issues with local bankers and businessmen, but he also apparently wants to get a personal feel for Hong Kong's future prospects. The Governor has offered to see Mr Hayden and to give him lunch.

In the context of this visit, it would in our view be useful to bring the Australians up to date, on the political net, on how far we have got in our contacts with the Chinese, in particular the most recent moves towards opening substantive talks (we would, as before, not go into details of the Prime Minister's talks with the Chinese). A briefing in Canberra before Mr Hayden leaves would be the easiest way to do this.

/I would

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