TNAG-2611-FCO40-3802-International-support-from-the-USA-regarding-the-future-of-H-1992 — Page 43

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FM FCO

TO PRIORITY HONG KONG

TELNO 1535

OF 281303Z OCT 92

INFO PRIORITY UKREP JLG HONG KONG, PEKING, WASHINGTON

LU PING'S VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES

1.

THE US EMBASSY HERE HAVE GIVEN US SOME DETAILS OF LU PING'S FORTHCOMING VISIT TO THE US AND (IN CONFIDENCE) AN ACCOUNT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE US CONSULATE GENERAL IN HONG KONG FOR THE POINTS WHICH THE STATE DEPARTMENT SHOULD MAKE TO HIM ON HONG

KONG ISSUES.

LU PING'S ITINERARY IS APPARENTLY AS FOLLOWS. HE WILL BE

VISITING LOS ANGELES FROM 30 OCTOBER TO 4 NOVEMBER: DALLAS ON

2.

4 NOVEMBER: NEW YORK FROM 5-7 NOVEMBER AND WASHINGTON FROM 7-9 NOVEMBER. THE ADMINISTRATION'S OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT HONG KONG WILL BE WHEN HE SEES ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EAST ASIA AT STATE, BILL CLARK, ON 9 NOVEMBER.

3.

THE EMBASSY TELL US THAT THE GIST OF THE CONSULATE-GENERAL'S

ADVICE IS AS FOLLOWS:

- THE UK AND CHINA WILL HAVE TO WORK OUT THEIR DIFFERENCES OVER POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG. BUT LU PING'S VISIT TO WASHINGTON IS A CHANCE TO PUSH THINGS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THE US NEEDN'T FALL ON ITS SWORD OVER YOUR SPECIFIC PROPOSALS.

BUT THESE DO ADVANCE THE US GOAL OF DEMOCRATISATION IN HONG KONG, WITHOUT CHALLENGING THE BASIC LAW.

- THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD LET LU PING KNOW THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT CHINA HAS A CONSIDERABLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENSURING CONFIDENCE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE IN THEIR FUTURE. THIS REQUIRES CHINA TO CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS. DO SO WOULD DAMAGE CONFIDENCE IN THE SINCERITY OF CHINA'S COMMITMENT TO ITS ONE COUNTRY-TWO SYSTEMS CONCEPT AND DIMINISH THE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG THEY WILL INHERIT IN 1997. ON DETAILED POINTS TO MAKE, THE CONSULATE SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING:

THE MANNER OF THE REVERSION IN 1997 IS A MATTER BETWEEN THE UK, CHINA AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.

THE US HAS IMPORTANT ECONOMIC INTERESTS IN HONG KONG, AND LIKE CHINA WOULD LIKE TO SEE ITS ESSENTIAL CHARACTER MAINTAINED. THE US REAFFIRMS ITS STRONG SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG DURING THE

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