DSR 11 (Revised)
DRAFT:
FROM:
minute/letter/teleletter/despatch/note
A J Coles Esq
DEPARTMENT:
W M Sulke Esq OBE JP First Floor
Bonaventure House Leighton Road
HONG KONG
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
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SUBJECT:
The Prime Minister has asked me to thank you for your
letter of 13 February enclosing a copy of your speech to
the Rotary Club Hong Kong South about the future of Hong
Kong. She always welcomes the views of Hong Kong people
about the territory's future, and the contents of your
speech have been carefully noted. I should like to
comment on two major issues.
2
You proposed that the British Government should
now withdraw from negotiations and await a unilateral
Chinese statement before conducting a referendum. The
British Government favour an alternative approach, namely
the pursuit of discussion with the Chinese Government on
the attainment of the common objective which is the
continuing stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. In
our view it is this active participation in the negotiation
process which will best assist the interests of Hong Kong.
You suggested in your letter that the Hong Kong
Government should be encouraged to hold a referendum.
We have repeatedly made it clear that we are commited
to the search for a settlement acceptable to the people
of Hong Kong as well as to the British and Chinese
/governments
56-ST DH8303048 2/82 APL
Page 120Page 121
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