CONFIDENTIAL
PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO CHINA AND HONG KONG, 18-21 DECEMBER 1984
HONG KONG
BRIEF NO 2: THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG
POINTS TO MAKE IN INFORMAL CONVERSATION
A. WITH UMELCO MEMBERS
VISIT TO PEKING
1. Had fully in mind points you put to me and Sir Geoffrey Howe in London. [Some useful assurances from Chinese leaders.] Not appropriate to raise all points with Chinese leaders, but will continue to take them into account in later contacts with Chinese.
GRATITUDE TO UNOFFICIALS
2. Emphasise gratitude to Unofficials for support during negotiations. Realise difficulty of your position and heavy responsibility you have. Your advice was invaluable.
FORM OF LEGISLATION [WITH EXCO ONLY]
3.
Draft Bill will be put to you shortly. Deals with termination of sovereignty in the body of the Bill. Also contains enabling provisions on nationality and modification of laws, and provides privileges and immunities for Chinese members of Joint Liaison Group in London.
B.
IN GENERAL CONVERSATION
IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREEMENT
4.
Natural that Hong Kong people should feel anxiety. There can be no absolute guarantee of the future. However Chinese leaders have gone out of their way to express their good faith. [They assured me in Peking of their determination to implement agreement.]
CONFIDENTIAL
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