SECRET
ONLY THAT TALKS ARE PROCEEDING IN GOOD ATMOSPHERE AND MAKING
PROGRESS. THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S AIM IS TO FURTHER THAT END,
ON BASIS OF CURRENT GOOD RELATIONS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA.
(C) WILL FINAL AGREEMENT TO BE DISCUSSED/TABLED DURING VISIT?
INAPPROPRIATE TO DIVULGE CONTENT OF TALKS. BOTH SIDES HAVE AGREED ON NEE
FOR CONFIDENTIALITY. MUST RESPECT.
(D) ANY CRISIS/DEADLOCK/IMPENDING BREAKDOWN IN TALKS?
NO.
SUCCESSIVE ROUNDS OF TALKS DESCRIBED BY BOTH SIDES AS QUOTE
USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE UNQUOTE. SUCH TERMS CLEARLY NOT
DESCRIPTIVE OF CRISIS/DEADLOCK.
ATMOSPHERE. PROGRESS BEING MADE.
(E) WHY PEKING FIRST?
TALKS PROCEEDING IN FRIENDLY
PLANNING WAS SUBJECT TO MANY PRACTICAL CONSTRAINTS, AND THE ORDER
PEKING - HONG KONG FITTED IN BETTER WITH THESE.
(F) DID HONG KONG OPINION NOT WANT THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO
VISIT HONG KONG BEFORE PEKING?
WE ARE AWARE OF THE QUESTION TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE PRACTICAL CONSTRAINTS AFFECTING THE PROGRAMME HAVE BEEN FULLY
EXPLAINED TO THE GOVERNOR'S ADVISERS IN HONG KONG. THE UNOFFICIAL
MEMBERS OF EXCO WILL BE IN LONDON ON 4-6 APRIL, AND WILL BE BRIEF-
ING THE SECRETARY OF STATE ON HONG KONG OPINION BEFORE HIS
DEPARTURE FOR PEKING.
3*
PARA 4 OF TUR. THE FIRST DATE IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN
CHANGED TO 15 APRIL.
HOWE
NNNN
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
/PLANNING STAFF
ED/PUSD
D/ED/PUSD
PES B. (R TALKER)
LEGAL ADVISER (SIR TAX SINCLAIR
PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PSAME LUCE
PS/PUS
SER J BULLARD
SIR W HARDING IR WILSON
12 FRIGHT STE C TICKET
COPTES TO:
BUCKINGJAK PALACE
PS/LOHD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
PS/HOME SECRETARY
PS/CHANCELLOR OF 193 DXOTEQUER
PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL
PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY
COPTES TO: (VIA ADR)
MR. ROBERTS
HR BURROWS
142
NEWS D
LEGAL ADVS
ES NO 10 DOWNING ST.
MR MARTIN ASSESSMENT STAFF CABINET OFFICE
MR GOODATT CABINET OFFICE
MR BEGAWAN CABINET OFFICE
PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE D PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL
SIR ? CRADOCK BY K195
SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING STREET
+
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