CONFIDENTIAL
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THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED UNDER
FOI EXEMPTION NO. 27..(ed.)«-
Deputy was liberal and open to human rights improvements. The Thais would welcome a general thickening of bilateral relations. Mr Hewitt agreed to work up some low-cost ideas.
HONG KONG
4. Mr Hum predicted that the Governor would have a tough time in China.
But this timetable could embrace a visit by Mr Goodlad to Peking in January. Mr Davies and Mr Hum emphasised the value of a regular line of communication with China. There was useful bilateral work that the Minister could do in January. You thought the possibility of a visit should be kept open as long as possible.
5.
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On US/China relations, you thought that Clinton if elected could not fall too far short of his promises on China. The US seemed ready to seek sanctions which harmed China but not Hong Kong. But in practice it was difficult to identify any. Mr Ricketts thought the only obvious candidate might be an import ban on primary products. You advocated a visit by the Governor to Washington at an appropriate juncture.
You
6. There was a brief discussion of the Governor's visit here in November. Mr Goodlad thought it a waste of time for him to attend the Lord Mayor's banquet. But on balance it was a good idea for him to be included in the dinner for Zhu Rongji. suggested this would be easier to decide on the Governor's return from Peking. Mr Ricketts will submit the Governor's draft programme, to enable the Minister to decide on a guest list for his lunch.
CHINA
7. Mr Davies analysed the recent Party Congress and briefed on the CBTG mission to Peking and on Lord Howe's human rights delegation. The Minister agreed in principle
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CONFIDENTIAL