TNAG-1262-FCO40-1602-MPs--letters-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 96

From Robert Adley MP

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HOUSE OF COMMONS

LONDON SWIA OAA

4th October 1983

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You may remember our discussion prior to your recent visit to China. In my capacity as Chairman of the British/Chinese Parliamentary Group, you kindly invited me to discuss with you the Hong Kong position; but we saw the matter from rather different perspectives. Subsequent events cause me to believe that some of my fears are materialising.

Having lived in the Far East, and indeed having been in Hong Kong on and off since 1956, my concern is that insufficient weight is being attached by Her Majesty's Government to China's history and to the character of her people in formulating our negotiating stance.

We are not going to go to war with Pekingover Hong Kong! The cards are in their hands. My concern is not, frankly, for the financial aspects of the situation, but for the ordinary Chinese people of Hong Kong. The rich and powerful can

look after themselves. For the best of motives

namely by trying to negotiate a better deal for their future we are in grave danger of annoying the Chinese Government to the point where their patience will run out, their terms for the people of Hong Kong will be less agreeable, and the sufferers will be those very people in Hong Kong for whom we should have most

concern.

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and will

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Those people in Taiwan and elsewhere who hope to see a rumpus between Britain and China over Hong Kong must be smiling at the moment.

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I believe, as I said to you when we discussed the issue, and as I have since repeated to Geoffrey Howe and Richard Luce, that it is essential for us immediately to recognize China's sovreignty over Hong Kong. By so doing we shall remove the over-riding obstacle in the negotiations. Only in this way can we fulfill the obligations made in the recent Queen's Speech. Obstiancy now by Her Majesty's Government, and insensitivity to reality by insistence on what we see

or should be as "legality", can only have the effect we are trying to avoid.

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Some of our Parliamentary colleagues, and innumerable joumalists, are visiting Hong Kong, and returning as instant experts. Of all nations who need careful study, China heads the list. By seeking to uphold our reputation of "protecting colonial people" we insult the Chinese Govt., aggravate a sensitive situation, and risk creating an economic vacuum, a political crisis and a human disaster.

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