1
3.
including
Many
the
of Hong Kong's major trading partners United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK) and France are directly involved in military
in the Gulf.
The USA and operations
UK, which are continuing to disburse very large sums of money on these operations, are actively looking to other friendly nations. and territories for financial assistance. At a time when the USA and the UK and some other countries are directly involved in the conflict, deliberately standing aside and refusing to offer any assistance is likely to be deeply resented. It is thus in Hong Kong's interests to be seen as willing to make a contribution towards the coalition's efforts.