SECRET
8029 1
106
DD 230100Z HONG KONG
GRS 491
SECRET
DESKBY 230100Z
FM FCO 221230Z MAR 84
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 538 OF 22 MARCH
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
MIFT: FUTURE OF HONG KONG: FOREIGN AFFAIRS' DEBATE:
SECRETARY OF STATE'S SPEECH
•
1. FOLLOWING ARE ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES:
SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO PEKING
1.
HKK
027/2
CLIVED VRPG.STRY 23 MAR 1984
JUTNY
AGREEMENT ON VISIT MID-APRIL. NO PRECISE DATES YET. WILL HAVE
TALKS ON HONG KONG WITH CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER AND OTHER CHINESE
LEADERS. LOOK FORWARD TO VISIT.
WHY VISIT NOW?
BOTH SIDES ARE
2. EASTER RECESS PROVIDES TIMELY OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW HONG KONG
TALKS PERSONALLY WITH MY CHINESE COUNTERPART.
AGREED THAT THIS WOULD BE USEFUL.
AGREEMENT/CRUCIAL DEVELOPMENT IMMINENT?
3.
INAPPROPRIATE TO DIVULGE DETAILS OF NEGOTIATIONS. CAN SAY
ONLY THAT TALKS PROCEEDING IN GOOD ATMOSPHERE AND MAKING PROGRESS.
MY AIM IS TO FURTHER THAT END, ON BASIS OF GOOD RELATIONS BETWEEN
BRITAIN AND CHINA.
WILL FINAL AGREEMENT BE DISCUSSED/TABLED DURING VISIT?
4.
INAPPROPRIATE TO DIVULGE TALKS. BOTH SIDES HAVE AGREED ON
NEED FOR CONFIDENTIALITY. MUST RESPECT.
ANY CRISIS/DEADLOCK/IMPENDING BREAKDOWN IN TALKS?
5. NO.
SUCCESSIVE ROUNDS OF TALKS DESCRIBED BY BOTH SIDES AS QUOTE USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE UNQUOTE. SUCH TERMS CLEARLY NOT
DESCRIPTIVE OF CRISIS/DEADLOCK. TALKS PROCEEDING IN FRIENDLY
ATMOSPHERE. PROGRESS BEING MADE.
HONG KONG VISIT
6.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS. EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO GET
FIRST-HAND VIEW OF HONG KONG AND LISTEN TO A WIDE RANGE OF
OPINION THERE. ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO KEEPING IN CLOSE
223/3
1
SECRET
+
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.