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Copy of Fraeresión agreed
HUGORED, & ELDE)
CONFIDENTIAL
SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO PORTUGAL,
24 26 JUNE: MACAO
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POINTS TO MAKE
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Present status vis-à-vis Portugal and China
1.
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When Mr Atkins saw Dr Gonçalvez Pereira in Lisbon last
November, Macao was mentioned. Given our relations with China
over Hong Kong, helpful to know more about Macao's status.
In
particular whether anything has been agreed with Chinese, orally
or in writing, especially on China's role there. Have Chinese ever pressed for public acknowledgement that Macao is Chinese
territory?
Possible relationship with EC
2.
Macao has not been raised in the Accession negotiations,
pending clarification of Portuguese intentions. Again in Hong
Kong context, grateful to know Portuguese Government thinking.
No doubt they envisage Macao's relationship with the Community
as being the same as Hong Kong's (i.e. it remains outside the
Treaty of Rome altogether).
3. We could not envisage Macao receiving better treatment than
Hong Kong (and doubt very much whether such a request would
receive any support from other member states) because of trade
(especially textiles), student fees, right of work and abode etc.
Could also make any negotiations we might have with Chinese over
Hong Kong's future more difficult. That in turn could diminish
confidence in Macao and even prejudice its future.
[Defensive use]
4.
While true that Macao may not be comparable to Hong Kong in
terms of GNP or development of financial sector, now less true in
terms of standard of living and industrial development.
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CONFIDENTIAL
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