TNAG-1257-FCO40-1590-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 6

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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT

PMVE (83) C5 REVISE

COPY NO 16

16 November 1983

COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING, NEW DELHI

23-29 NOVEMBER 1983

HONG KONG

Brief by Foreign and Commonwealth Office

UNITED KINGDOM OBJECTIVE

1. To give, if the subject is raised, a general outline of

our talks with the Chinese Government on the future of Hong Kong.

POINTS TO MAKE (DEFENSIVE)

2.

In Bilaterals with Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders ONLY

Keeping your government informed. Fifth round in second

phase of talks 19/20 October, sixth round 14/15 November.

Both jointly described as useful and constructive. At October

meeting we proposed discussion of practical measures to maintain

Hong Kong's stability and prosperity on basis of China's plan

for Hong Kong as Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China

but without prejudice to our own position or to any final

Well received. November session heavier going.

agreement.

Chinese restated their position on matters of principle.

Fleshed out some of detail of their SAR plan for Hong Kong but

apparent these still rudimentary. Signs that Chinese still

see road to further progress in terms of agreement on principles

rather than discussion of details and practicalities. They

differentiate between areas on which they are willing only to

hear our views on practical arrangements post-1997 and areas

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