TNAG-1262-FCO40-1602-MPs--letters-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 140

FLAGC

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

From The Minister of State

✓FECORO

RECEIVED IN REESTRY NO. 50

1 JAN1983

OFFICER

WNDEX

PA

REGISTRY

30 December 1982

سکتا

Fubu FEC owl ble

ان

Dear Robert

Pym.

plce (as Restricted)

to Chancey, Reling ma folio 88

v22

Thank you for your letter of 13 December to Francis

14/1.

I was pleased to hear that you had been re-elected Chairman of the British/Chinese Parliamentary Group, and will thus be continuing your good work in promoting relations between Britain and China.

I

I note your concern that the Hong Kong issue could become a deterrent to the maintaining of good Sino/British relations. As you perhaps know, I have just returned from a visit to the Far East. While in Hong Kong I had an opportunity to discuss matters with both the Governor of Hong Kong and our Ambassador in Peking. I think we are all agreed that one of the most encouraging features of the present situation is that our discussions with China. about the future of Hong Kong are taking place against a background of excellent UK/China relations. Indeed these relations have never been better. The Prime Minister's visit in September not only achieved agreement to enter into talks with the common aim of maintaining Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, but also confirmed that there are no major bilateral issues outstanding between Britain and China and that we share a common outlook on many important international issues.

As you know the content of the Hong Kong talks must remain confidential, but, given the agreed common aim, there is no reason why we should not reach an agreement which meets the concerns of all three parties and which thus provides a solid basis for the further development of Anglo/Chinese relations. What would happen if the negotiations were to go badly is of course a hypothetical question, but successive British Governments have reiterated their commitment to the people of Hong Kong. It would not be right to place a higher premium on good UK/China relations than on this fundamental moral responsibility. But it is to take a very gloomy view of matters to assume that we shall have to make such a choice.

Robert Adley Esq MP

House of Commons

London SW1A OAA

/We