TNAG-1256-FCO40-1589-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 117

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FROM: R D Clift

DATE: 21 October 1983

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Mr Marshall, NAD Mr Thomson, FED

FUTURE OF HONG KONG: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER'S VISIT TO THE US

1. The attached teleletter from Mr Gomersall in Washington is of interest. The earlier teleletter referred to (distributed already) mentioned

2.

a) that for the first time in American recollection the Chinese Foreign Minister, during his meeting with

Mr Shultz, referred to Hong Kong and Taiwan in the same breath as internal problems which China would solve herself;

b) that the Embassy had heard in confidence from a contact

in the State Department that the question of what role, if any, the US Government would play in the Hong Kong problem was under further study.

Much of what Mr Wolfowitz is now reported as having said to the FEER at an Asia Society luncheon is helpful, particularly the points about the United States wishing to see an outcome which preserved stability and prosperity, and the delicacy of business confidence. This remark about "a major exodus of refugees from Hong Kong" is rather less helpful, but has probably done no harm.

3. There is nothing particularly new in para 3 of the teleletter, although it is interesting to note what Wu said about China discarding other means which it could have employed in dealing with Hong Kong, and recognising that the question was primarily a matter of trust whether the outside world believed China would stick to its policy.

4.

In general the exchange with Wu and the line taken by

Mr Wolfowitz underlines the value of our keeping the Americans fully in the picture on Hong Kong. There will be opportunities to bring Mr Wolfowitz up to date when Mr Luce goes to Washington at the end of this month, and when you go in December.

R D Clift

21 October 1983

Hong Kong Department

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