TNAG-2508-FCO40-3655-Visit-by-Sir-Edward-Heath--former-UK-Prime-Minister--to-Chin-1992 — Page 65

HKC 026/19

G7

Sir J Coles

صح در

MINISTER

• CONFIDENTIAL

2 0 AUG 1992

см ра

M

FROM: N J Cox

Hong Kong Dept

24/mě

DATE: 19 August 1992

cc: Mr Morris, FED

Mr Wye, RAD

PS/Mr Goodyad

Ang 24418.

DEALING WITH CHINA ON HONG KONG: VISIT OF SIR EDWARD HEATH

PROBLEM

1. Whether we can exploit Sir Edward Heath's visit to Peking in late September to promote British interests over Hong Kong.

RECOMMENDATION

2.

That we seek the Governor's views on what line Sir E Heath

might be encouraged to take in Peking: I submit a draft

telegram. In the light of the Governor's views the Secretary of State may wish to offer Sir E Heath a briefing, although there will be an opportunity for the Governor to speak to him in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND AND ARGUMENT

This

3. Sir E Heath plans to visit Peking around 23 September. is a crucial moment for our Hong Kong strategy, ie a few days before the Governor's Legco speech on 7 October which will set out his ideas on constitutional development, and just before the Secretary of State's meeting with Qian Qichen in New York.

heath.sub/VISITBREIF

CONFIDENTIAL