TNAG-1308-FCO40-1665-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 16

Mr. Bowell

Ask their over of

SECRET

FROM:

D C Wilson

1413

DATE:

15 March 1984

We should a) report K Rehys itk

Sir P Cradock

b) consider parn

cc: Mr Clift

pass?

$200/3

Mr Thomson

Mr Burrows

FUTURE OF HONG KONG: LUNCH AT THE CHITNAHE EMBASSY

1. I was invited to lunch today by the Political Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, Mr Zheng Yaowen

He was acc. panied

by Mr Chen Ziying.

:

2. When the subject of the Hong Kong negotiations came up, I said that the discussions seemed to have been going reason- ably well. However, I was greatly concerned about recent developments. We had put forward our ideas on the timetable for an agreement. This was a major effort by Ministers to fit in with the Chinese view on timing. We envisaged reaching agreement by September on a draft which, following publication and a period for reflection and comment, would then be debated in Parliament. This would enable us to sign an agreement by the end of the year. It was a matter for great regret and surprise that Zhou Nan had reacted unfavourably to these ideas. It was hard to see why. We had a common objective of reaching agreement as soon as possible. Our proposals met this objective and fitted in with the essentials of the Chinese timetable. An agreement by the end of the year would be a major achievement. The opportunity should not be missed.

3. Mr Zheng said he was not aware of these latest developments (he later said that the Embassy had not been informed either of our proposal for a visit to Peking by the Secretary of State). He asked whether it would not be possible to reach an agreement carlier. I said it might theoretically be possible to reach agreement on a draft before September. But it seemed most unlikely that there would be sufficient time to publish this and have it considered by Parliament before the summer recess. It was important not to give the impression that people were being rushed. Parliament would wish to know how people in Hong Kong had reacted. I hoped that the Embassy were making clear to Peking the importance of these parliamentary

considerations.

SECRET

14.