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supportive statements by Singaporean leaders had in Hong Kong. Were they perceived positively or regarded as "cynical" statements for the record. Rich said that the Hong Kong authorities and population welcomed such statements of support. Mah Bow Tan said he would be happy to consider any specific proposals for ways in which Singapore could support and be seen to support Hong Kong. The Minister mentioned cooperation between the Singaporean and Hong Kong Tourist Promotion Boards as an example of what he had in mind. A telling indication of Singaporean unwillingness to exploit Hong Kong's difficulties was the fact that, when Rich had referred to various "insurance" moves the Jardine Matheson Group had recently made, eg the decision to list their shares on the Singapore Stock Exchange as of 20 February, Mah Bow Tan gave not the slightest hint of any interest on the part of the Singapore Government in attracting Jardine Matheson to Singapore.
Rich said that Mah Bow Tan had also referred to "regular" Ministerial contacts between Hong Kong and Singapore without being specific.
4.
Comment
5. The above is probably nothing new to you, though I detect among the local business community some sense that Singapore will try to profit from Hong Kong's problems. If there were any particular points you would like me to put over as opportunity offers, I would be glad to know them.
Your
ever
Lodon Suggan
GA DUGGAN
Copy to: Sir David Wilson KCMG, Governor, Hong Kong.
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