TNAG-1464-FCO40-1991-Visits-by-Chinese-officials-to-the-UK--including-visit-by-Hu-1986 — Page 116

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Far Eastern Section Research Department OAB 2/124 210 6219

DATE: 12 May 1986

Mr Thomas

HKD

SECRETARY OF STATE'S MEETING WITH WU XUEQIAN: HONG KONG TEL 1408

1.

We spoke. I have checked our files. While we do not have a complete set of papers, there seems to be enough to indicate that the broad outlines of the story as remembered by the Governor are correct, but some details and dates may be out.

2. Mrs Elliott and Dr Denny Huang wrote to the Prime Minister in July 1979 asking her to meet delegations of elected urban councillors when they visited the UK in October 1979 and/or February or March 1980. The purpose of these visits was "to propose some constitutional changes". Within the FCO, it was assumed that this meant electing the entire urban council on an extended franchise and increasing its powers. It was argued that it would probably be appropriate for Mr Blaker to receive them, but not the Prime Minister (FCO tel 519 of 10 July 1979).

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3. In September 1979, three Labour MPs visited Hong Kong and one, Mr Robert Parry, called for direct elections of all urban councillors and at least six members of the Legislative Council. He referred to Mrs Elliott and others going to London in November 1979. (Hong Kong tel 1260 of 10 September 1979).

4.

There were a number of parliamentary questions by Mr Parry on his return, relating to elections and the Urban Council in Hong Kong. (eg FCO tel 878 of 26 October 1979). In February 1980, Mr Parry asked further questions, and referred to the visit by the Urban Council delegation. (Hansard of February 1980).

5. In June 1980, the Hong Kong government published a Green Paper on district administration in Hong Kong, which provided for District Board elections in 1982, We do not have the Green Paper, but I attach a copy of a press release issued at the time. (Hong Kong tel 735 of 6 June 1980). This led to a question in the House of Lords by Lord Brockway (Hansard 24 June 1980).

6. Although the question of the future of Hong Kong was already a matter of some concern, especially over leases in the New Territories, at the time of the above developments, there had been no negotiations, and the Chinese still seemed unwilling to consider such negotiations.

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