CODE 18-77
SS B/78
RESTRICTED
Reference
Mr Searle (HKGD
HKK ozzli
K24TVO IN REGISTRY NO. 51
26 JAN
DESK OFFICER
REGISTRY
Taken
PROPOSED 10TH UN CARTOXPHIC CONFERENCE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC IN HONG KONG (1983) 2
No
Al
Tizk
R+R
to me
MAS
27
1. I am sorry not to have commented earlier on Mr Hall's minute of 21 January (paragraph 4).
2.
China's attitude to Hong Kong has become increasingly pragmatic and flexible in recent years. The Chinese are now generally in favour of any venture that contributes, directly or indirectly, to the prosperity of Hong Kong and would there- fore recognize the touristic and publicity advantages inherent in the proposal.
3. I take the point about Hong Kong's non membership of the UN and agree that the Chinese remain sensitive about the status of Hong Kong. But I do not think that these factors would cause any problems providing it was made clear if the need arose that the siting of the conference had no political significance what-
soever.
4. The Chinese reluctance to host the conference themselves can be easily understood. Much as they would like to take on such things, it will be quite a few years before they have developed the capability to cater for conference visitors in the manner to which they are accustomed: at present they lack the hotel and support facilities to cope effectively with large numbers of foreign guests.
27 January 1981
cc: Miss Rigby (UND)
Mr Hall
(PCD)
Mr Davies (FED)
ARR
A R Paul
BU
noted
✓
Stel
Far Eastern Departmen K 255
Department MAS
5539
29
し
30/1181
RESTRICTED