RECEIVED IN REGISTR
INDEX
27 SEP 1984
IC R
PA
CANADA HAS LONG HAD MAJOR COMMERCIAL INTERESTS IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING THE PRESENCE OF SEVEN CANADIAN BANKS AND A MULTITUDE OF OTHER COMPANIES, A BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY IN TWO-WAY TRADE, AIR AGREEMENTS GOVERNING MAJOR TOURIST AND BUSINESS TRAFFIC IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, AND A LARGE IMMIGRATION AND STUDENT FLOW. THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA THEREFORE HAS A STRONG INTEREST IN THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG'S ''STABILITY AND PROSPERITY'' AND REGARDS THE RECENTLY-INITIALLED AGREEMENT AS A HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT AND CONSTRUCTIVE STEP IN THIS REGARD.
MR CLARK ADDED THAT THE AGREEMENT SHOULD NOT ONLY BENEFIT HONG KONG BUT SHOULD ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WITH WHICH CANADIANS HAVE SUCH CLOSE AND RAPIDLY GROWING TIES.
ENDS
DAY
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
HD/PLANNING STAFF HD/PUSD
DEP HD/PUSD
RESEARCH D (MR WALKER)
LEGAL ADVISERS(SIR J FREELAND) PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PS/MR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR W HARDING
SIR C TICKELL
MR GOODALL
MR DEREK THOMAS MR. BOYD
COPIES TO:-
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL PS/HOME SECRETARY
PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL
PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY
COPIES TO:- (VIA ADR)
MR ROBERTS NEWS DEPT
MR BICKFORD LEGAL ADVISERS
MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS
MR POWELL NO 10 DOWNING ST.
MR INGHAM NO 10 DOWNING ST.
MR MARTIN ASSESSMENTS STAFF CABINET OFFIC
MR CARTLEDGE
MR COLVIN
CABINET OFFICE
CABINET OFFICE
ROOM K195
PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE
PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL
SIR P CRADOCK
SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING ST.
-2-