TNAG-1256-FCO40-1589-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 113

CODE 18-77

Mr Morris

cc: WED

25/10

CONFIDENTIAL

Political Adviser, Hong Kong

Reference

Marlight P.s

FUTURE OF HONG KONG: BRIEFING OF NORWEGIANS

447

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1.

Mr Lie, Minister Counsellor at the Norwegian Embassy, called on 21 October. I briefed him in very general terms on the background with some stress on the problems inherent in the Chinese plan as publicly revealed; our efforts to educate the Chinese; and the effect of Chinese propaganda on confidence in the Territory. On the latest round of talks in Peking, I said that they had gone well and that there seemed now to be a good chance of getting down to discussions on concrete issues. The Chinese had not altered their political position but we had made no concessions.

2.

Mr Lie was grateful. He asked about the Chinese position on special administrative regions and special economic zones and was also interested in the linkage of the Taiwan issue to the Hong Kong problem. He mentioned the general interest of Norway in the issue, because of their extensive commercial and shipping interests in Hong Kong and said that the Norwegian Consul General in Hong Kong was under instructions to report as fully as possible.

25 October 1983

in

R D Clift

(Hong Kong Department)

MKK04015

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