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MDHIAN 4402
VIEW TO ENABLING THEM TO PREPARE BETTER, BUT ALSO TO INCREASE PRESSURE TO GET ON WITH EXISTING BUSINESS. IN PRACTICE, THE CHINESE ARE ALREADY AWARE OF SOME TOPICS ON OUR LIST E.G. NOTES AND COINAGE, ADAPTATION OF LAWS, AND SELECTION OF PRINCIPAL OFFICIALS. WE COULD DRAW SELECTIVELY ON THE LIST IN DISCUSSING FUTURE WORK
WITH THEM.
(C) WE MAY STAND A BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING THE CHINESE TO DISCUSS PARTICULAR SUBJECTS IF WE PRESENT A PAPER TO THEM AT THE RIGHT TIME RATHER THAN GIVING THEM ADVANCE NOTICE IN THE FORM OF A PROGRAMME OF WORK. AN EXAMPLE MIGHT BE 'PRC'S IROS TO BE APPLIED TO HONG KONG': THE CHINESE MAY UPON RECEIPT OF THE PROGRAMME REPLY THAT THIS IS A MATTER BETWEEN THE PRC AND SARG (JD 137). BETTER TO CHOOSE OUR OWN TIMING FOR AN APPROACH AND SEEK TO INVOLVE THEM IN A CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSION BY PRESENTING A PAPER.
(D) THERE MAY BE TIMES WHICH WE ARE ABLE TO RESOLVE WITHOUT HAVING TO CONSULT THE CHINESE. HOWEVER, THE FACT THAT THE ITEM IS ON THE LIST MAY AROUSE THEIR SUSPICIONS AND THEY WILL ASK FOR DETAILS ON WHAT WE ARE DOING WHICH COULD BE VERY UNHELPFUL E.G. HONG KONG'S CONTINUED MEMBERSHIP OF COCOM.
4. UKREP JLG HONG KONG CONCURS WITH PARA 3 ABOVE.
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