TNAG-1255-FCO40-1588-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 25

CONFIDENTIAL

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

29th Annual Conference: Nairobi: 23 October 5 November

Brief No:

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

Brief by Foreign and Commonwealth Office

LINE TO TAKE

A IN BILATERALS WITH 'CANADIANS, AUSTRALIANS,

NEW ZEALANDERS ONLY

1. Keeping your Government informed at a high level. Prime Minister held discussions with Mr Trudeau on 26 September. I saw Mr Cooper, and Mr Templeton (MFA) in

Wellington on 28 September and Mr Henderson (DFA) in

Canberra on 6 October.

B WITH ALL COMMONWEALTH REPRESENTATIVES

2..

Talks through diplomatic channels between Britain and China agreed last September. Meetings held in Peking with common aim of maintaining Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.

3. Second (ie more detailed) phase of talks began in July. Reconvened 22/23 September after seven week recess. Fifth round held in Peking 19/20 October. Chinese delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Yao Guang, British delegation by HMA Peking. Governor of

Hong Kong participating as appropriate on British side.

4. Content of talks confidential.

5. Our aim is to seek a settlement acceptable to Britain, China and people of Hong Kong. Their views being taken fully into account. Made known to us and

CONFIDENTIAL