TNAG-1256-FCO40-1589-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 214

Mr Clift, Hong Kong Dept

CONFIDENTIAL

Enlin

401

MKK040 5

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

12 OCT 1983

DESK OFFICER INDEX

REGISTRY

PA

Action. Taken

Hong Kong: Visit by Chinese Foreign Minister

to Canada

(387

(380)

The Secretary of State has seen Ottawa telnos 528 and 529 recording Wu's press conference. Paragraph 8 of telno 528 records a question from the Canadians to the Chinese about the possible maintenance of Hong Kong's connections to the European Community and the Commonwealth. The Chinese response was that they had not thought about this. The Secretary of State wonders how much thought we ourselves have given to it. His first inclination is to think that the European Community is a more fruitful area than the Commonwealth. He has commented on telno 529 that Wu's exposition is a very lucid re-expression of China's basic views on Hong Kong's future. Wu's mention of details such as his reference to the wording of laws (omitting Her Majesty etc) tends to support Wu's claim that Chinese have given very careful consideration to the special conditions which should apply in Hong Kong. In this context, the Secretary of State wonders whether we have yet given enough attention in our own thinking to the clear Chinese linkage between Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Separately, the Secretary of State has commented on reports of the unsigned commentary in the People's Daily of 6 October that, when the Chinese say that they have every right to make the Government's basic stand on the issue known to their people, including their compatriots in Hong Kong, this is an opening on which we could build if we choose to go more public ourselves. In the Secretary of State's view, the EXCO talks clearly pointed to the need for a more public stand by us soon. He would appreciate your advice on when might be the best time. He is inclined to think that he might say something just after (hopefully) the next round of talks in Peking puts the show back on the road.

E. Hohes

10 October 1983

(JE Holmes)

See 403

cc:

PS

PS/Mr Luce

PS/PUS

Mr Giffard

Mr Donald

FED

Planning Staff

Mr Roberts, News Dept

CONFIDENTIAL