D
APEZ @
MKB 090/2
M
31
ра
CALL BY HONG KONG SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY ON MR BAYNE,
8 JANUARY 1991
ASIA/PACIFIC REGIONAL COOPERATION
POINTS TO MAKE
Welcome establishment of APEC.
growth in the region.
Force for economic stability and
Glad that its development so far has been as
an association of like-minded nations, underpinned by shared values
(open trading system, market forces). Would not want to see it become a inward-looking group (eg on lines proposed by Malaysians after abortive Uruguay Round conference).
Would like to see APEC membership extended as widely as possible. We would of course support Hong Kong membership. When and how Hong Kong joins must be a matter for other APEC members. Timing of membership vis-a-vis parallel applications by China and Taiwan clearly sensitive. But Hong Kong clearly has major role in regional economic cooperation, and we hope that this can be resolved sooner rather than later.
Sceptical about ideas recently floated for multilateral security framework in Asia/Pacific region. Some such forum may eventually emerge, but current security concerns (eg North/South Korea, Japan/Northern Territories, Cambodia) better dealt with on bilateral basis or (as with Cambodia) through the UN.
Japan would in any case not want to see any weakening of US military presence in East Asia; and China would almost certainly veto the idea of an Asia CSCE.
- US also very sceptical, although Solomon's San Diego speech in October did identify APEC as the sort of regional association that might, through emphasis on economic growth and increased trading links, foster the sort of shared values that could help resolve security problems.
PD4ACJ