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MDHIAN 7932
WHICH WILL HAVE MOST OF ITS LIFE AFTER 1997 AND IN THE SPIN-OFF FOR
BRITISH TRADE THAT SUCH AN INVOLVEMENT WITH THE NEXT GENERATION OF
TECHNICALLY TRAINED LEADERS IN HONG KONG MIGHT PRODUCE.
5.
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES (LIKE THE VICTORIAN POOR) LOOK LIKE BEING
WITH US FOR A LONG TIME. THEY FORM A RUNNING SORE WHICH COULD, AT ANY MOMENT BECOME A POLITICAL ABSCESS AFFECTING UK/HK RELATIONS.
BUT THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE PROSPECT OF THAT AND I THEREFORE HAVE TO
PUT THEM TOO IN A LOWER PRIORITY THAN THE DCA.
·
6. IT IS WORTH REMEMBERING HOW THE SHOE FITS ON THE OTHER FOOT. THE
WAY IN WHICH HMG TREATS HONG KONG ON ISSUES OF THIS TYPE WILL
INEVITABLY AFFECT THE WAY IN WHICH PEOPLE HERE, BOTH IN EXCO AND ELSEWHERE, RACT TOWARDS ANY SUGGESTION OF SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR UK INTERESTS, SUCH AS FAVOURABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR A FUTURE CONSULATE GENERAL. WHEN WE ASSESS THE WIDER POLITICAL AND PUBLIC REACTIONS TO SUCH PROPOSALS WE ALSO HAVE TO TAKE ACCOUNT (QUITE
UNFAIRLY) OF PERCEPTIONS ABOUT HMG REINING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
A MORE DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM IN HONG KONG.
WILSON
YYYY
MAIN
10
LIMITED
HD/HKD
NNNN
DISTRIBUTION
10
MR MCLAREN
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