Reaties now
Co Bing'
turn to go
1. MK.
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Chin's angle
Mr Ricketts
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Saunde Interesting. Thanks
CHINESE EMBASSY TALKING TO INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STRATEGIC STUDIES (IISS)
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Far
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rang
Dr Hoare, former member of RAD from/Eastern Section, me up from the IISS today to tell me about a meeting he and Gerry Segal had had with the Chinese Defence Attaché, Chen Feng. During his visit M Chen had asked them what they
Dr Hoare thought thought Mr Patten was up to in Hong Kong. Chen's enquiries were part of a wider effort by the Embassy, possibly commissioned by Peking, to find out what may be behind recent events in Hong Kong and what the Chinese see as
Chen clearly thought our change of policy over Hong Kong. there must be a special British interest in all this, and suggested the familiar old warhorse of a plot to lay the foundations for continued British influence after 1997.
2.
Dr Hoare said he had denied there was any such 'plot' or any change of policy. It was to be expected that the style and method of approach of a politician would be different from those of an official. Mr Patten genuinely wanted to establish Dr Hoare had a dialogue and discuss his proposals with China. emphasised how important it was to talk quietly together and
He said he had also mentioned not to trade public insults. the previous Governor's practice of paying regular visits to Peking, eg early in the New Year, and suggested (on an entirely personal basis of course) that this idea might be revived.
K. Saunders
KAM Saunders
Hong Kong Department
WH 311 270 3544
4 November 1992
cc: Mr Bunten, HKD
Mr Bristow-Smith, FED
chin.emb.PR
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