TNAG-1338-FCO40-1770-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Beijing-fo-1984 — Page 138

SECRET

PRODUCTIVE: WITHOUT IT I AM OPTIMISTIC THAT EXCO WILL ACCEPT THE PROPOSITIONS. IN ANY CASE, EVEN IF THEY DID REACH A DECISION ON DECEMBER 18TH THERE COULD BE NO PROSPECT OF FORMING THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY SUFFICIENTLY QUICKLY TO ENABLE LETTERS OF INTENT TO BE ISSUED OR OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE SIGNED ON THE 20TH.

5. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT HONG KONG WILL BE LOOKING TO THE VISIT FOR A DEMONSTRATION OF COMMITMENT ON THE PART OF THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO THE AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. TO ELEVATE THE PROMOTION OF SINO/BRITISH TRADE TO A POSITION OF ANY PROMINENCE DURING THE VISIT COULD ONLY DETRACT FROM THE IMPACT OF THAT DEMONSTRATION.

YOUDE

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED}

¡

HONG KONG AGREEMENT

LIMITED

HD/HKD

HD/FED

HD/PLANNING STAFF

HD/PUSD

DEP HD/PUSD

RESEARCH DEPT (MR WALKER) PS

PS/MR LUCE

PS/PUS

SIR W HARD ING

MR WILSON

SIR J FREELAND

-2-

SECRET

COPIES TO: (VIA ADR)

MR ROBERTS, NEWS DEPT

MR FIFOOT. LEGAL ADVISERS MR BURROWS, LEGAL ADVISERS

MR MARTIN, ASST STAFF CABINET

OFFICE

MR CARTLEDGE, CABINET OFFICE MR COLVIN, CABINET OFFICE

SIR P CRADOCK, NO 10 DOWNING ST SIR P CRADOCK, ROOM K195