RESTRICTED
115204
MDLOAN 8266
RESTRICTED
FM FCO
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELNO 1359
OF 23100OZ JULY 91
TOP COPY Q DIST?
MAB 121/3
INFO PRIORITY PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG, TOKYO
4
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PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM PAUL, HKD
HONG KONG: POSSIBLE CONFERENCE ON INVESTMENT
1 I UNDERSTAND THAT THE JAPANESE MINISTER FOR FINANCE RECENTLY PUT AN IDEA TO SIR J WHITEHEAD ON A PERSONAL BASIS, NAMELY THAT WE MIGHT ORGANISE IN HONG KONG A MEETING OF COUNTRIES WHO WERE ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL INVESTORS IN THE TERRITORY. SIMILAR IDEAS WERE EXPRESSED TO ME DURING MY OWN VISIT TO TOKYO LAST MONTH.
2. WE THINK THAT THIS IS CERTAINLY WORTH CONSIDERING. IN ORDER TO HEAD OFF CHINESE CHARGES OF ''INTERNATIONALISATION'' HOWEVER, SUCH A CONFERENCE WOULD NEED TO BE CAREFULLY PLANNED AND MANAGED AND THE CHINESE SHOULD, WE THINK, BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE. LU PING'S PARTICIPATION IN THE SMITH NEW COURT CONFERENCE IN LONDON IN SEPTEMBER MAY HELP TO POINT THE WAY.
3. AS FOR PARTICIPATION BY OTHER COUNTRIES, I WOULD ENVISAGE REPRESENTATION BEING PRIMARILY COMPANIES, BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, WITH SOME OFFICIAL INVOLVEMENT THROUGH THE CONSULATES IN HONG KONG OR BY VISITING OFFICIALS (EG FROM MITI).
4. THE ABOVE ARE VERY MUCH PRELIMINARY IDEAS, AND BEFORE TAKING IT ANY FURTHER (AND CONSULTING MINISTERS) WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS.
HURD
YYYY