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B
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TOCAAM
CONFIDENTIAL
FROM
: AR Paul
HKB 020 /t
DATE
* 1SEF1989
Mr McLaren
PS/Mr Maude
Private Secretary
TAIWAN AND HONG KONG
Problem
CC
Hong Kong Department
15 September 1989
: PS/Lord Brabazon
Mr Millington, FED
Mr Fraser
Mr Wye, Research Dept
1.
A letter from Mr Powell about a message from the Taiwan
authorities, conveyed to the Prime Minister by Mr Tom Arnold MP,
that they would like a direct channel of communication with HMG to
discuss how Taiwan might help Hong Kong.
Recommendation
2.
I recommend that we should advise No 10 to revert to Mr Arnold
on the lines set out in Mr Powell's letter and suggest that the Political Secretary at No 10 should also speak in similar terms to
Sir James Spicer MP before he visits Taiwan later this month. I submit a self-explanatory draft reply. FED and Hong Kong Government
concur.
Background and Argument
The Embassy
3. The Taiwanese have already publicised Mr Arnold's visit to Taiwan and his meeting with Premier Li Huan on 12 July. in Peking have stressed that at the present time, the Chinese Government are likely to be particularly sensitive about any moves
CONFIDENTIAL
23,