CONFIDENTIAL
State raised the subject with Chinese Foreign Minister
Qian Qichen in the margins of UNGA on 28 September. Both
the Secretary of State and Lord Caithness tackled Vice
Foreign Minister Tian Zengpei on the question during the
latter's recent visit to London.
4.
At JLG XVI the Chinese side suggested that in order to make progress on this issue we would have to supply details
of air routes and traffic rights. This is confidential and
commercially sensitive information contained in the
Confidential Memorandum of Understanding (CMU) between Hong Kong and the relevant third country. Hong Kong is presently engaged in a policy review on ASAS which will consider the potential damage of supplying this information to the
Chinese, and possible compromises. In the meantime we
continue to take the line that disclosure of CMUS to the
Chinese would be an unacceptable breach of Hong Kong's
confidential agreement with aviation partners.
5.
Recent telegrams from UKREP JLG indicate that the
Chinese are sticking to this firm line on ASAS. Other
sources however suggest that progress will soon be made. Mr Galsworthy suggests that CAAC may have been promised
"one last go" before the Chinese side concedes. We are
therefore continuing to reject their request in reasoned
terms.
Hong Kong Department
30 November 1990
CAMAEE/2
CONFIDENTIAL