TNAG-1257-FCO40-1590-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 219

Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders generally informed about the talks at a high level, though to a slightly lesser

extent than we do the Americans. The New Zealanders and

Australians were brought up to date during Mr Whitney's visit to the South Pacific in September/October. The Australian High Commissioner called on Mr Luce on 17 October. The Prime Minister discussed Hong Kong with Mr Trudeau on 26 September in Ottawa. The Australian, Canadian and New Zealand representatives in Hong Kong, Peking and London are also kept

up to date.

4.

Within the Commonwealth, the Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians have shown the closest interest in Hong Kong's future. The only others to do so are Malaysia, Singapore, Tonga and Botswana. The Malaysian Prime Minister recently criticised HMG's handling of the Hong Kong issue. (Malaysian banks sustained heavy losses recently through their involvement in the Hong Kong property market). Premier Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore told Mr Luce on 24 September that' HMG should play its hand 'quietly and firmly'. The King of Tonga asked for briefing on Hong Kong when he saw Sir Geoffrey Howe on 25 October. We have also recently provided general briefing on Hong Kong for President Masire of Botswana who

will visit China in November.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

2 NOVEMBER 1983

3

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