TNAG-1324-FCO40-1736-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1984 — Page 146

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MKKO00131

MAR 1234

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FM HONG KONG 260445Z MAR 84

TO PRIORITY FCO

TELEGRAM NUMBER 813 OF 26 MARCH

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kep

INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON, BRUSSELS, UKMIS GENEVA, WASHINGTON, CG NEW YORK

FOR HONG KONG GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES

HKG/GT/53: FUTURE OF HONG KONG: FOREIGN AFFAIRS DEBATE IN THE

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

1. YOU HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THE TEXT OF THE REFERENCES TO HONG KONG IN THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE ON 22 MARCH. THE FOLLOWING POINTS ARE OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE:

(A) THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE WILL VISIT PEKING AND HONG KONG IN MID-APRIL.

(B) THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE GOVERNOR WILL VISIT LONDON IN EARLY APRIL.

(C) THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE: QUOTE WE MUST AND DO BEAR IN MIND THE REALITIES OF THE SITUATION AND THE UNIQUE HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG. AT PRESENT, CONTINUITY

IS ASSURED BY BRITISH ADMINISTRATION. BUT IN 1997 BRITAIN'S

LEASE OF 92 PERCENT OF THE TERRITORY COMES TO AN END. IT IS IN

THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT IT BECOMES POSSIBLE AND INDEED

DESIRABLE TO VISUALISE OTHER WAYS IN WHICH CONTINUITY CAN BE

ASSURED. UNQUOTE.

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2. (BEGIN UNDERLINING) S OF S'S VISIT TO PEKING. (CEASE UNDERLINING). NO PRECISE DATE HAS YET BEEN SET. THE SECRETARY

OF STATE WILL HAVE TALKS ON HONG KONG WITH THE CHINESE FOREIGN

MINISTER AND OTHER CHINESE LEADERS.

3. IF ASKED WHY THE VISIT IS TAKING PLACE AT THIS TIME, YOU SHOULD

SAY THAT THE EASTER RECESS PROVIDES A TIMELY OPPORTUNITY FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO HOLD TALKS WITH HIS CHINESE COUNTERPARTS.

BOTH SIDES HAVE AGREED THAT THIS WOULD BE USEFUL.

4. IF ASKED IF THIS INDICATES THAT AN AGREEMENT OR A CURCIAL DEVELOPMENT IS IMMINENT, YOU SHOULD SAY THAT IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR HMG TO DIVULGE DETAILS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS. THE TALKS ARE PROCEEDING IN A GOOD ATMOSPHERE AND MAKING PROGRESS. THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S AIM IS TO FURTHER THAT END ON THE BASIS OF GOOD RELATIONS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA,

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5. IF ASKED