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HOUSE OF COMMONS FOREIGN AFFAIRS DEBATE 22 MARCH: FUTURE OF HONG KONG: NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES
TIMING OF FORMAL ROUNDS
Timing determined by number of factors including other
commitments of negotiators. Two sides will continue to meet as often
as is practicable and necessary.
1.
PROGRESS OF TALKS
2.
Talks taking place in friendly atmosphere.
quickly as possible.
Proceeding as
TIMETABLE FOR TALKS, AND 'IMMINENCE OF AGREEMENT'
3. No overall timetable agreed. Cannot predict how long they will
take. Issues complex. Getting on as quickly as we can but
premature to speculate on timing of agreement. In our view, important thing is right solution.
CHINESE THREAT TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENT BY SEPTEMBER 1984
4. Aware of Chinese references to unilateral announcement this
with us.
September if no bilateral agreement by then reached) Have to take into account. But believe Chinese preference, like ours is
for negotiated bilateral settlement. Working towards this. We
consider right solution to be overriding consideration.
HAVE HMG CONCEDED SOVEREIGNTY AND/OR ADMINISTRATION?
5. By mutual agreement content of talks confidential. Inappropriate
to divulge detaile now. In due course for Parliament to decide for
our part on acceptability of arrangements made with Chinese, taking
Hong Kong's views into account. (IF PRESSED) No concessions made by either side which would anticipate nature of any final agreement.
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