TNAG-1263-FCO40-1606-Parliamentary-contacts-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 204

CONFIDENTIAL

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BRIEFING FOR BACKBENCH CONSERVATIVE MPS

THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG

POINTS TO MAKE

1.

Stress confidentiality.

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2. Recall Prime Minister's visit to Peking, September 1982.

Agreement on meetings through diplomatic channel. Common aim

of maintaining stability and prosperity.

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3. Several meetings took place since then between Sir P Cradock

and Chinese MFA.

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Prime Minister stressed that

sovereignty not in her gift. Subject to Parliament's decision.

But she would be willing to recommend the reversion of sovereignty

as part of package involving satisfactory administrative

arrangements post-1997, which would be acceptable to

Parliament and the people of Hong Kong as well as to the

Government of China. Chinese have distorted this in various

leaks, claiming we have conceded sovereingty.

What we have

done is stress that that could only be done on strict conditions.

4.

Second phase of talks began in Peking on 12/13 July.

Governor of Hong Kong attended.

:

5. Friendly atmosphere, but Chinese continued to take firm

line. They stressed that sovereignty and administration were

inseparable. Sir P. Cradock replied that Hong Kong was unique.

We wished to explain to Chinese how it works and hoped the

Chinese would listen with an open mind before committing

themselves to a plan we believe would not succeed.

6. Next session will take place on 25/26 July. Another planned

for 2/3 August. We aim to continue to educate Chinese in

realities of situation and to demonstrate need for insulation

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN

40

CLOSED FOR

„YEARS UNDER FOI EXEMPTION No. 271).

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CONFIDENTIAL

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