CONFIDENTIAL
New Hong Kong ASAS
4. In addition to the separation programme, Hong Kong has negotiated new ASAS with Brazil and Brunei, and plans to
begin negotiations for a Hong Kong/Scandinavia ASA in the
near future.
5.
When we informed the Chinese of the latter recently
through the JLG, they replied unhelpfully. They argued that
they should be consulted before HKG was authorised to
negotiate such an ASA and suggested that both sides should
concentrate on the outstanding ASAS on the separation
programme before Hong Kong embarked on the negotiation of
new Agreements. They did not refer to the Brazil and Brunei
ASAS, to which they had not made the same objections of
principle. There is no reason why Hong Kong should not conclude new ASAS while the separation programme is in progress; moreover, the Joint Declaration specifically
provides for Hong Kong to negotiate and conclude its own
ASAS. We have made it clear that we intend to authorise
Hong Kong to proceed.
6.
Cathay Pacific Airways are particularly concerned about
these developments. The Chairman of John Swire and Sons,
Sir Adrian Swire, recently wrote to Lord Brabazon and
Lord Caithness and, in a helpful move, has expressed their
concerns in a letter to the Chinese Ambassador in London.
CAMAAL/2
CONFIDENTIAL
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