DRAFT
SECRET
VISIT OF DR ALOIS MERTES, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE FRG MINISTRY OF
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: 12-13 SEPTEMBER 1983
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
POINTS TO MAKE
1.
Talks through diplomatic channels between Britain and China
agreed last September, Meetings have been held in Peking with common aim of maintaining Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.
2.
Second (ie more detailed) phase of talks began on 12/13 July. Further meetings held 25/6 July and 2/3 August. Will reconvene 22/23 September. Chinese delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Yao Guang, British delegation by HMA Peking. Governor of Hong Kong participating as appropriate on British side. We keep in close
consultation 7
through the Governor, with Hong Kong's Executive
Council.
3.
Content of all these talks confidential.
Atmosphere has been
friendly though Chinese line on substance tough throughout. We have given nothing away.
4.
Our aim is to seek a settlement acceptable to Britain, China and people of Hong Kong.
5.
+
, C.--.
Chinese propaganda has floated idea of Hong Kong as autonomous region (Special Administrative Region) under Chinese constitution. Propaganda campaign aimed at undermining our position. recently stepped up, eg Party General Secretary, Hu Yaobang told Japanese reporters on 15 August that China would recover sovereignty over Hong Kong on 1 July 1997.
Hu gave erroneous impression that we had conceded China's premise on sovereignty.
6.
Most people in Hong Kong highly sceptical of what they have heard of China's Hong Kong plan. Evidence suggests Chinese have not
SECRET
ma
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.