TNAG-1324-FCO40-1736-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1984 — Page 18

Mr Clift

CITY, H

HKD

SECRET

HKCK 040/31

RELE VEDI 2.

5.MAY 1984

다

191

Са

Maals

Future of Hong Kong: House of Commons Debate on 16 May

The Secretary of State was grateful for the draft speech

which you submitted with your minute of 11 May. He has made (66

a number of self-explanatory comments on the text itself. But he also considers that he needs to say rather more about some central points which have been given heightened prominance by the UMELCO statement. He has suggested the following elements:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

we understand the real concern in Hong Kong because of the basic incredibility of the idea of two systems existing alongside each other;

a tribute to the imaginative nature of the Chinese vision of one nation/two systems;

underline (and explain, for the Chinese) the dual role of UMELCO members, particularly the EXCO Unofficials: a tribute to them;

make clear that the UMELCO statement was entirely unprompted by us and without our knowledge: explain (again for the Chinese) that this is the nature of free speech;

underline our good faith in the context of our good general relations with the Chinese;

stress the importance of the international aspect: the importance China attaches to her international

reputation.

The Secretary of State also feels that it would be very difficult (and wrong) for him to say nothing about nationality.

I would be grateful if you would let me have a further draft incorporating these thoughts (if you agree, the bulk of the elements mentioned above might come early in the speech). The Secretary of State will want to work on this further draft tomorrow morning. He would be grateful to have any comments that others concerned may have, including Mr Luce and Mr Houston.

Ricketts

(P F Ricketts)

Dr Wilson Mr Goulden, News D

Mr Walker, Research D

Mr Burrows Mr Houston

14 May,

cc: PS/Mr Luce PS/PUS

1984

Sir P Cradock Sir W Harding

SECRET