TNAG-1258-FCO40-1591-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 17

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FUTURE OF HONG KONG : BRIEFING THE AMERICANS

1.

It has now been announced that Premier Zhao will visit the United States 10-16 January and Canada 17-23 January. We need to consider whether any briefing is required for the Americans or Canadians prior to this visit and whether we want either of them to make any points to the Chinese. We have also just heard that the Governor is likely to see Mr Wolfowitz in New York on 11 January.

2. The Americans (Mr Wolfowitz) were brought up-to-date in mid-December. The Canadians have also been brought up-to-date since the last round of talks.

3.

In our policy review paper we said in paragraph 18 that "we shall need to get international support for Hong Kong's autonomy and to encourage other governments to impress this on China"

4.

·

so.

As of now I believe there is very little new to say to the Americans or Canadians, although there might be one

or two developments in the next week or

Zhao's visit does provide an opportunity for two third countries to stress to the Chinese their hope that there will be no collapse in Hong Kong and that the territory will continue to be stable and prosperous, with a very large degree of autonomy. Given US interests in Hong Kong there is probably more merit fer the Americans making this point than the Canadians although we know that the latter, including Mr Trudeau, are concerned.

kely to give

5.

We might also use this briefing opportunity to give Mr Wolfowitz the summary of China's 12 point plan (purely for his background information) which you are Ms Sutter. Perhaps we could discuss

soon.

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29 December 1983

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W Morris

Hong Kong Department

28/12

Randy K disure 23/12

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