TNAG-1308-FCO40-1665-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 122

From the Private Secretary

ÊT MON

10 DOWNING STREET

Enti

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151

2 March 1984

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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.

You proposed that the British Government should now withdraw from negotiations and await a unilateral Chinese state- ment before conducting a referendum. The British Government favour an alternative approach, namely the pursuit of discus- sion 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 committed to the search for a settle- ment acceptable to the people of Hong Kong as well as to the British and Chinese governments. I can assure you that the views. of Hong Kong people expressed in such fora as the Urban Council will continue to be fully taken into account throughout the talks This process of consultation is a continuous one, and we attach the highest importance to it.

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B

Mr. Walter M. Sulke, O.B.E., J.P.

JOHN COLES

HAKK ORE/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

- 2 MAR 1984

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