CONFIDENTIAL
British Council
see what we might do within our existing programme.
are in touch with State Education Commission about this.
E.
DRAGONAIR (if raised)
7. Pleased you are now serving Thailand on a regular basis.
(If asked about scheduled services for Dragonair to PRC)
Hope to resume talks with Chinese soon. HMG will continue to support Dragonair's aspirations.
8.
(If asked about charter flights for Dragonair to Peking and
Shanghai)
9.
Decision on this is for Hong Kong Government.
(If asked about charter flights for Dragonair to London):
10. Director of Civil Aviation in Hong Kong has full responsibility
for approving charter services. HMG not involved.
F.
SINO-BRITISH FRIENDSHIP SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME (if raised)
11. Pleased with progress. Pleased that reception Mr Patten gave for first students on 17 September went well.
G.
ARMILLA PATROL PROTECTION FOR HONG KONG SHIPS (Defensive)
12. We cannot accept a sworn affidavit concerning British ownership of any vessel. This would set a difficult precedent which could embarrass us in other cases. No reflection on Sir Y K personally.
H.
NINGBO STEEL WORKS (Defensive)
13. We cannot provide an aid grant to support this very large project. (II pressed). We have indicated to the Chinese government that we are willing to explore other ways of expressing our support
on small scale. No response yet
CONFIDENTIAL