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Donor coordination
17.
By comparison with
with arrangements
for other major aid
recipients there is little donor dialogue and coordination and
there is no institutional mechanism to facilitate such
dialogue/coordination such as a Consultative Group hence the
informal OECD discussion referred to in para 13.
Issues for discussion
18.
Given the size of our aid programme, the scope for using it
to exert leverage in negotiations with China is prima facie very
limited.
19.
Nevertheless
our programme offers some opportunities to
further HMG's Hong Kong objectives, through promoting
institutional links between China and Hong Kong, and through its
general influence on opinion leaders and institutions in China, for example by encouraging the economic reform process and market
concepts. However we should not overestimate its potential
influence.
20. We might consider whether we can make greater use of Hong Kong as a source of expertise for our programme.
VIETNAM
21. Our aid programme to Vietnam is heavily influenced by Hong
Kong considerations. The major objectives of the programme are to support efforts to encourage economic migrants to return from Hong Kong, to persuade potential boat people not to leave and to encourage a cooperative attitude on the part of the Government
of Vietnam.
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