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Archive (Reagan Library)

Hong Kong: Thatcher letter to Reagan (Sino-British Agreement) [summary declassified 2000]

Document type: Declassified documents
Venue: White House
Source: Reagan Library: NSA Head of State File (Box 35)
Editorial comments: The date of MT's letter to the President is derived from a copy in the Thatcher MSS. The original has not been declassified.
Importance ranking: Major
Word count: 139 words
Themes: Trade, Foreign policy (Asia), Foreign policy (USA), MT contacts with Ronald Reagan

Declassified F96-107#289
By SMF, NARA, Date 3/28/00

Memorandum for the President
From: Robert C. McFarlane
Subject: President’s reply to Mrs. Thatcher’s Letter on Hong Kong

You will recall that Mrs. Thatcher wrote you in late September outlining Britain’s agreement with China on Hong Kong’s future, and urging that we issue a statement expressing confidence in Hong Kong’s future prosperity, which George Shultz did. Your reply congratulates Mrs. Thatcher on the historic agreement, expresses confidence in Hong Kong’s future, and expresses hope that the agreement will improve ties between China and the West.

RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the reply to Mrs. Thatcher at Tab A.

[The President initialled his assent.]