SECRET
HKK 040/5
CALL ON THE PUS BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AUSTRALIAN DFA
ON 7 JUNE 1983
POINTS TO MAKE
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
1.
THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED
IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER
SECTION 3 (4) OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958
Sir John Mason brought Mr Hayden up-to-date in April.
Sir P Cradock still holding meetings in Peking with Yao Guang,
Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister.
2.
Initial progress slow.
Chinese stressing their position on sovereignty, ie it must be recovered by 1997. We are not doctrinaire but have made clear that the first step must be to
discuss practical arrangements that will safeguard Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, ie maximum degree of continuity in
administration.
3.
Chinese publicly expressed ideas on rule by Hong Kong
people, ignore need for effective guarantees against Chinese
interference.
4.
We attach considerable importance to Hong Kong opinion.
In close touch with EXCO. Our objective is solution acceptable
to China, UK Parliament and people of Hong Kong.
5.
Meanwhile important for all concerned that nothing is
said or done to undermine confidence in Hong Kong. Chinese
ideas widely publicised. We have not reacted publicly so far..
Take the view that it is the talks that count not what is said
outside.
6.
Kong.
Realise there are sizeable Australian interests in Hong
Understand there was no substantive
discussion of Hong Kong during Premier Zhao's visit to
Australia.
Interested in your views on the problem.
SECRET
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