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and we would therefore be grateful for an up-to-date
ex
assessment of how Hong Kong interests would be adversely
affected by a Maritime Agreement which excluded Hong
Kong shipping and alternatively what you regard as the
minimun safeguards and assurances that would need to be
obtained if Hong Kong is to be included. Seen from here
the problem might turn less on additional protection
for Hong Kong seamen than on equitable treatment of
Hong Kong registered ships in terms of dues, etc.
4. Your forthcoming visit to China may provide a
useful opportunity to gauge whether the Chinese attitude
on this question has changed. Subject to the views of
HI Ambassador Peking we see no reason why you should
not say that your understand that there is a possibility
of resuming discussions and that we regret that the
earlier negotiations could not be completed. If Chinese
attitudes have changed this would make easier the
negotiation of an Agreement which would be of mutual
benefit. You could say that we share with them an interest
in ensuring that Hong Kong should not suffer as the
result of closer ties between the UK and China in such
specialised fields as shipping.
CWEN
[THIS TELEGRAM WAS DESPATCHED VIA MOD ON 16 MARCH)
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MR CORTAZZI
MR
URRAY
MISS BROWN
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SPD
MR PRYOR, )SPD, DOT MR BROWN)
MR PRISTON, CRE4 DOT
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