CONFIDENTIAL
C
4.
(c)
It would be prudent, whatever line is eventually decided for public use, to tip the wink to someone
the Chinese trust in Hong Kong that the real
objective is unconditional renewal of MFN.
It would help to draw the threads together if, in
parallel to briefing No 10, we should telegraph our
conclusions. I submit a draft telegram.
5. Two further points which have emerged from the
correspondence are that the Governor is concerned that, despite our attempts to put them right, the Americans may
still believe that he would like MFN renewal linked to Chinese
agreement to his constitutional proposals. He is opposed to
any attempts, well intentioned or otherwise, to link Hong Kong
to the renewal of MFN status. A second, related point is
that, while the Secretary of State agrees that there should be
no direct linkage, he does not think we should discourage the
Americans from using trade as a means of placing pressure on
China. The draft telegram seeks to clarify these points.
Thomin
J C Morris
hk.chn.ADM
CONFIDENTIAL
SLM