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SIR JOHN COLE'S VISIT TO JAPAN; 9 - 12 NOVEMBER
HONG KONG
BACKGROUND
Reference A: FCO TELNO 514:
SECRETARY OF STATE'S MESSAGE
TO MR WATNABE
Reference B: SUMMARY OF GOVERNOR'S CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS
1. Japan is uniquely placed to influence China and their continuing support over Hong Kong is even more important now
that we are entering a difficult period in our relations with
Peking.
2. Mr Watanabe used lines to take on democracy provided by us
at his request during his visit to China in January. But in
general the Japanese have preferred to emphasize the need to preserve Hong Kong's economic freedoms. During his visit to
Japan from 21 24 June, Mr Goodlad thanked the Japanese for
their help over Hong Kong with the Chinese and pointed up
democratic development as a key issue.
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3. We have been in close touch with the Japanese over constitutional developments in Hong Kong. When the Secretary
of State saw Mr Watanabe in New York on 22 September he told
him that the Governor would be making a major policy speech on
7 October in which he would set out his constitutional
proposals. These were designed to meet the needs of effective and accountable government; to make the electoral system more
democratic and fair; and to maximise the chances of
continuity through 1997 by exploiting to the full the
Bgd.colejap. BTC
JEB