VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE BRITISH SIDE.
NEVERTHELESS, BECAUSE OF THE EXCEPTIONAL NATURE OF THE PROJECT AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO CHINA, BRITAIN AND HONG KONG, THE BRITISH SIDE HAVE MADE PARTICULAR EFFORTS TO RESPOND TO THE CHINESE REQUESTS IN A FLEXIBLE AND POSITIVE MANNER. SUBSTANTIAL CONCESSIONS TO THE CHINESE HAVE THEREFORE BEEN MADE. ON A VERY FEW POINTS, THE CHINESE SIDE SHOULD UNDER- STAND THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE BRITISH SIDE TO GO FURTHER THAN THEY ALREADY HAVE BECAUSE OF LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY REASONS.
(1V) IN VIEW OF THE GREAT EFFORTS NOW MADE BY THE BRITISH SIDE, EXPRESS THE HOPE THAT (VICE-PREMIER LI PENG) CAN USE HIS INFLUENCE WITH THE JVC AND WITH THE BANK OF CHINA TO ENSURE THAT THESE NEGOTIATIONS CAN BE BROUGHT TO A RAPID AND
SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION.
3. THE AMBASSADOR HAS SEEN THIS IN DRAFT AND CONCURS.
EVANS
GUANGDONG
LIMITED
[COPIES SENT TO NO 10 DOWNING STREET]
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NED
TRED
HKD
PUSD(MR CROWLEY) WED
PS
PS/MR RENTON PS/PUS
SIR W HARDING
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MR WILSON
ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION
GUANGDONG NUCLEAR
COPIES
DT!
Το
ASHDOWN
HSE.
2.
CONFIDENTIAL