TNAG-1312-FCO40-1687-Future-of-Hong-Kong-views-and-involvement-of-Australia--Cana-1984 — Page 43

47 A

CODE 18-77

Mr

Ham

Mr Clift

مدمی

SECRET

HKK 040/6

(49)

Reference

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

- 2 MAR 1984

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

REGHI

PA

Action Taboa

4. T

FUTURE OF HONG KONG:

1.

BRIEFING THE NEW ZEALANDERS

Ms Halliday of the New Zealand High Commission called today to discuss the latest round. I briefed her along the lines of our Tel No 107to Canberra, copied to Wellington.

2. In reply to specific questions I said that:

(a)

•

although in our view, the overriding consideration was to reach the right solution, we were of course taking into account China's publicly declared deadline of September 1984;

Plans for

(b) our continuing exploration of Chinese vs for Hong Kong

post 1997 was still on a conditional basis and had not altered our fundamental position;

(c)

(a)

we welcomed the continuing development of democracy in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Government were building, in this context, on a foundation already established, and intended to wo continue to do so, taking full account of all relevant factors;

Mr Luce had regarded his recent visit to Hong Kong as an important part of his Far Eastern Tour. His consultations there with the Governor/EXCO ware part of the continuing process of consultation we had with Hong Kong on the Territory's future. We valued these contacts. Mr Luce has always been keen to get, also, a personal feel of views on the future from as wide a social spectrum as possible in Hong Kong.

1

dest

1 March 1984

(Mrs) J S C PRIEST