TNAG-1256-FCO40-1589-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 23

CONFIDENTIAL

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

RJ Alston Esq

UKDEL NATO

BRUSSELS

file

A76

Telephone 01- 233 3722

MKKO40/s

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

ACT 1983

Your reference

Our reference

HKF 040/5

Date

28 October 1983

Year Rouet,

DESK INDEX

PA

REGISTRY Action Taken

FUTURE OF HONG KONG: NATO EXPERT

1.

•CHA||

WORKING GROUP ON ASIA

I understand from Chris Segar in SEAD that the subject of Hong Kong's future came up at the NATO Expert Working Group on Asia in early September (when David Johnson was in the chair) and that there was some unhappiness on the part of the French and Canadians among others over the fact that we were not able to say much on this subject.

2.1

As you will appreciate, extremely complex and sensitive issues are involved here and these are currently the subject of confidential negotiations between us and the Chinese taking place through diplomatic channels in Peking. Much of the background to these negotiations, as well as historical background to the problem, is described in our guidance telegrams 192 of 20 October 1982 and 083 of 8 July 1983, copies of which I enclose for ease of reference. Also enclosed is a more recent note which brings things up to date.

3.

While this material (subject to certain caveats in the guidance telegrams) can be drawn on if the need arises and there is no time to consult us, we should be grateful if in future we could be warned in advance if you anticipate the question of Hong Kong's future coming up in any NATO meetings so that an appropriate line can be prepared. On the whole, we prefer not to initiate discussion on this subject although we realise that interest in it, among our allies and others, is likely to grow.

cc Mr Segar, SEAD

Mr Thomson FED

Mr Weatherell, Defence Dept)

Yous

ever.

Wanich

W Morris

Hong Kong Department

without

encs

P.S. Nice to be in touch again

CONFIDENTIAL

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