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Redacted Under FOI
Exemption Sec 27(1)(a)(c)(d)
268
017055 MDHOAN 0415
а
SECRET
FM FCO
TO DESKBY 25003OZ HONG KONG
TELNO 568
OF 2420O9Z MARCH 91
AND TO DESKBY 25003OZ PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM BURNS, AUS
PEKING: PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR
UKREP JLG HONG KONG: PERSONAL FOR GALSWORTHY
MIPT: PADS: MEETING WITH LU PING
HKB 182 /2
1.
FOLLOWING IS DRAFT TEXT OF REPRESENTATIONS WHICH SIR A DONALD MIGHT MAKE ON INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CHINESE:
THEY ARE
SERIOUSLY CONCERNED THAT SO LITTLE PROGRESS IS BEING MADE.
TIME IS NOW VERY SHORT BEFORE THE FOREIGN SECRETARY'S VISIT TO PEKING. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THIS EVENT, WHICH WILL BE THE HIGHEST LEVEL VISIT BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES FOR SOME YEARS, IS A SUCCESS.
FAILURE TO AGREE BEFOREHAND ON THE AIRPORT PROJECT WILL SERIOUSLY DETRACT FROM THE SUCCESS OF THE VISIT, WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR RELATIONS MORE GENERALLY.
- WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE AIRPORT PROJECT GOING AHEAD: IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG, CHINA AND BRITAIN THAT IT SHOULD DO SO. BUT THERE ARE REAL CONSTRAINTS ON WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO AGREE IN ORDER TO SEE THIS HAPPEN.
WE
HAVE HOWEVER PUT FORWARD A CLEAR AND CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSAL TO
WHICH WE HAVE RECEIVED NO CLEAR ANSWER. WE VERY MUCH HOPE
THAT THE CHINESE WILL CONSIDER IT CAREFULLY AND REVERT TO US
QUICKLY.
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY WILL NOT WISH TO ENGAGE IN DETAILED
NEGOTIATIONS ON THE AIRPORT PROJECT DURING HIS VISIT. THIS IS
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