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for yo
Mr Paul, HKD
HONG KONG
your school chumFrom:
Martin Cues?
24/01
Sir John Coles
Date:
20 June 1991
CC:
Mr Burns
FED
1. Sir John Whitehead told me today that the Japanese Minister of Finance had recently put to him, on a personal basis, the suggestion that we might organise in Hong Kong a meeting of countries who were actual or potential investors in the Territory. The object would be to convey an implied message to China about the depth of international interest in Hong Kong's future. I believe that Sir John Whitehead may have put this idea to you as well.
2.
There would be some
It seems to me worth considering. danger of provoking Chinese charges of "internationalisation". On the other hand, the Chinese have a clear economic interest in future investment in Hong Kong and might, if we were careful, even be persuaded to attend.
3.
I should be interested in your views in due course.
The Burns
fohn Coles.
Sir John Coles
via
The Paul (HR)),
I would
be ready
to
found favour.
him if the general proposition
put it to
But his bread and butter is
conferencer ni
China. Y
Peking
he would
>
this proposed meeting appeared likely to be viewed amiss by
to
want to
be unlikely consider a conference i of reference acceptable to site also invited.
JC2ADY Some!
Something
he might do
however is to
invowe himself. What
which Chinlic Pficials participated & implying
thean
y
the
there
and to which Japanese and other RESTRICTED
idea is
Lines
Fermany'
to
Wik
best
be taken any further, perhaps
Way
to proceed.
25/6
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