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can achieve only with difficulty.
The Japanese have a close interest in the future of
Hong Kong. Their economic stake in the territory is
substantial. So too are their economic interests in
Taiwan; hence they logically look for a solution to the
Hong Kong problem which does not adversely affect
confidence in Taiwan.
#1:
The Japanese have already shown a certain
willingness to share with us their perception of Chinese
policy towards Hong Kong and to volunteer information on
conversations with Chinese leaders which have touched on
the territory's future. We should try to exploit this.
There would be no question of using the Japanese as
intermediaries, or of feeding a line to the Japanese for
use with the Chinese. There might come a point, probably
after an agreement had been reached with China, when we
might find it useful to enlist Japanese help. This would
have to very carefully judged at the time. Until then we
should be cautious. The Japanese certainly have a
general interfest in Hong Kong continuing to prosper, but
they also set great store by their relations with China,
and could not necessarily be relied on to put over
messages helpful to British interests.
At this stage we simply suggest that our Embassy in
Tokyo should be instructed to brief the Japanese Foreign
Ministry at a senior official level. The degree of
disclosure would be rather less forthcoming than with the
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