TNAG-1342-FCO40-17722-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Beijing-fo-1984 — Page 55

CONFIDENTIAL

(B) SHE AGREED ABOUT THE NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR DIFFICULTIES IN THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD. IT WAS VITAL THAT WE SHOULD REMAIN

CALM AND DECISIVE AND CONSULT THROUGH THE LIAISON GROUP.

(C) SHE WELCOMED ZHAO'S VONFIRMATION THAT WHEN DRAFTING

THE BASIC LAW, THE VIEWS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD BE SOLICITED ON A WIDE BASIS AND THAT THE LAW WOULD BE PROMULGATED NOT LATER THAT 1990. SHE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REPEAT THESE REMARKS PUBLICLY.

ZHAO ASSENTED.

15. SEE MY TWO IFTS FOR DISCUSSION OF BILATERAL AND INTERNATIONAL

ISSUES.

EVANS

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

LIMITED

HD/HKD

HD/FED

HD/PLANNING STAFF HD/PUSD

DEP HD/PUSD

RESEARCH D (MR WALKER)

PS

PS/LADY YOUNG PS/MR LUCE PS/PUS

MR DEREK THOMAS

SIR W HARDING MR GOODALL MR WILSON

SIR J FREELAND

COPIES TO:-

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL PS/HOME SECRETARY

PS/CHANCELLOR OF TH EXCHEQUER

PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL

PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY

COPIES TO:- (VIA ADR)

MR ROBERTS NEWS D

MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS

MR BURROWS LEGAL ADVISERS

MR POWELL NO 10 DOWNING ST.

MR INGHAM NO 10 DOWNING ST.

MR MARTIN ASST STAFF CABINET OFFICE MR CARTLEDGE CABINET OFFICE

MR COLVIN CABINET OFFICE PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL

SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING ST. MR KELLY TREASURY

CONFIDENTIAL