TNAG-1298-FCO40-1653-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1984 — Page 22

CONFIDENTIAL

DR WILSON'S MEETING WITH JOURNALISTS, 1500 HOURS, 12 APRIL

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

POINTS TO MAKE

Secretary of State's Visit to Peking and Hong Kong

1.

Secretary of State going to Peking and Hong Kong as

part of tour of Far East. Major part of talks in Peking

(with Wu Xueqian and senior Chinese leaders) will be devoted

to future of Hong Kong.

2. Visit will provide opportunity for comprehensive review

of negotiations. No decisive outcome to be expected.

Right

to take opportunity to review progress of talks. Much hard

work still to be done before any agreement is reached.

3. In close touch with Hong Kong opinion. Secretary of

State and Prime Minister saw Unofficial members of EXCO in

London on 5/6 April. Close identity of views. Secretary of

State will visit Hong Kong after Peking for further

discussions.

4.

In Hong Kong Secretary of State will hold talks with

Governor and Executive Council, and will meet members of

Legislative Council, Urban Council and District Boards.

be exposed to wide range of views.

Background to Talks

5. Historical background:

(i) Hong Kong Island, ceded in 1842;

(ii) Kowloon and Stonecutters' Island, ceded 1860.

Will

/(iii)

CONFIDENTIAL