CONFIDENTIAL
FCO/HKG DIALOGUE ON ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL MATTERS
VISIT TO HONG KONG: 1-4 APRIL 1992
A. General Objectives
To ensure that FCO officials are up to date on key Hong
Kong economic and financial issues with a UK and/or
Chinese dimension, in order to be able to brief Ministers
as required, notably in case of any changes following the
General Election, so that HMG can maximise the
effectiveness of its support for Hong Kong's prosperity and stability on a basis of economic and financial
autonomy.
To build on previous contacts and to establish an open
and constructive dialogue on these issues.
To discourage the appearance of HKG "bouncing" Ministers.
B. Specific Objectives
1.
To identify possible problems on the airport project,
and clarify their likely timetable, and to discuss the ways forward if the Chinese make difficulty or if lenders require
more Government commitment than currently envisaged. Issues
include:
-
airport railway
-
ACP costs
-
land grants
- Lantau bridge
-
airport platform costs (bids well above HKG estimate?)
MTRC and Airport Authority contracts, franchises and
borrowing (see para 2 below)
ASHAIN/1
CONFIDENTIAL