Foreign & Commonwealth
Office
London SWIA 2AH
19 July 1991
His Excellency Mr Hiroshi Kitamura
Ambassador
Embassy of Japan 101-104 Piccadilly London W1V 9FN
From The Minister of State
Mr Stone 22/7 Mr Morfir 23/7
22
2/1
Dea Ambasade
I am writing to thank you for Japan's warm statement welcoming and supporting the understanding reached between Britain and China on Hong Kong's new airport. Given the common interest
we have in Hong Kong and our close co-operation in recent months I would not have expected anything different. But the speed with which the statement was issued was particularly
valuable.
As you know, we need to intensify cooperation with China over Hong Kong to bring about a smooth transition.
In doing this we must be sure that the Hong Kong Government retain the ability properly to administer Hong Kong up to 1997. We believe that the agreement on the airport has given us a firm basis on which to proceed with the Chinese.
I know that Japan, like so much of the international community, attaches great importance to the success of the Joint Declaration and to the maintenance of Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability. Hong Kong has much to offer the world: we all have an interest in its continuing success. I am most grateful for Japan's support.
Licerely Marloh Canthean
THE EARL OF CAITHNESS