TNAG-1307-FCO40-1664-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 85

From Robert Adley MP

HOUSE OF COMMONS

LONDON SWIA OAA

وا

8th February 1984

Омадания

слу

When last we spoke about Hong Kong in your office, you expressed to me your concern about the likelihood of the Chinese Government insisting that the first Chinese Governor would have to be an active member of the Communist Party. This was not a point that had been made to me in my contacts with the Chinese Government.

I thought, therefore, I would probe the position with the Chinese Ambassador, whom I met privately last week. He said that as far as he was aware, his Government had laid down no such stipulation, nor, as he put it, did he think it would make much sense for them so to do in the light of their avowed intent to maintain confidence

and stability in Hong Kong. His Excellency appeared to recognize that such a stipulation would hardly be likely to encourage confidence.

I thought I would pass this information on to you. Please do not

feel obliged to reply.

The Right Honourable Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, MP, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 10 Downing Street,

London,

S.W.1.