TNAG-1297-FCO40-1652-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1984 — Page 84

SECRET

HKK 027/2

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

22 MÁR 1984

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

16 March, 1984

D

9$

see as

Dear John,

Future of Hong Kong: Visit by the Secretary of State to Hong Kong

and China

As you know we have put to the Chinese Government the proposal that the Foreign Secretary might visit Peking in the week of 15 April, travelling on to Hong Kong. We await the Chinese response. In the meantime EXCO have suggested that Sir Geoffrey Howe should visit Hong Kong before he goes to Peking in order to get a direct picture of views in the territory.

Sir Geoffrey Howe considers that it would be wrong for him to visit Hong Kong before and after a visit to Peking. Overt consultation with Hong Kong before going to Peking would certainly be strongly criticised by the Chinese and could well jeopardise the Foreign Secretary's important and delicate negotiations in Peking. Sir Geoffrey is however ready to agree to the alternative proposal that a small group of Unofficial members of EXCO and LEGCO might visit London in advance of his departure for Peking, in order to brief him on opinion in Hong Kong.

I enclose a text of a draft telegram which, provided that the Prime Minister sees no objection, we propose to send to Hong Kong. We assume that any delegation from Hong Kong will be led by Sir S Y Chung. The telegram suggests a private talk between Sir Geoffrey Howe and Sir S Y and also raises the possibility of a private call by Sir S Y Chung on the Prime Minister. We believe that such calls would help to reassure Sir S Y Chung that the views of Hong Kong were being adequately taken into account at this crucial stage in the negotiations.

Sir Geoffrey Howe therefore hopes that the Prime Minister could agree in principle (subject to diary considerations) to receive Sir S Y Chung.

A J Coles Esq

10 Downing Street

SECRET

You ever

Peler Poketts

(P F Ricketts) Private Secretary