TG1AXK (2)
CONFIDENTIAL
SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO SWITZERLAND: 14-16 MAY
Essential Facts
HONG KONG
1.
The Secretary of State is generally familiar with current Hong Kong issues.
2.
The main economic indicators all suggest that the Hong Kong economy is performing well. In his recent budget the Financial Secretary forecast continued strong growth during 1987. Switzerland
is a major European trading partner. Hong Kong's 9th largest source
of imports worldwide in 1986 and its 14th largest market for domestic exports.
3.
The Hong Kong/Switzerland ASA should be signed in Hong Kong
in June (subject to Chinese agreement to the text). It will be the
second separate Hong Kong ASA.
4.
The Secretary of State is familiar with our extensive
diplomatic exercise to explain to other countries the new BN (0) status and the passport that goes with it to other countries. The Swiss authorities announced their acceptance of it in early December
1986.
CONFIDENTIAL