CONFIDENTIAL
File
7
HKD 021/1
Ch/Jap 15
IS
VISIT OF LORD CAITHNESS TO JAPAN, 13-16 FEBRUARY
China/Hong Kong: International Support
Points to Make
-
Prospects for Hong Kong look good. South China economic development irreversible. Hong Kong's success hinges on
its economy.
But we also need to create the right
political environment.
As Douglas Hurd told [you/Mr Watanabe] in Washington on
22 January, we are grateful for Japan's efforts to
influence China. [Your/his] comments on democracy
particularly helpful.
Not a message that China wants to listen to, but
important that she is told frankly that the developing
democratic system is essential to the maintenance of
Hong Kong's stability and prosperity and that Chinese
attacks on it undermine business confidence in the One
Country Two Systems policy.
Helpful if Japan could encourage China to talk to the 18 directly-elected LegCo members instead of showing public
suspicion and hostility. China will win more with a smile
than with a frown. We encourage LegCo to reciprocate.
- Also important to continue to remind China (as [you/Mr
Watanabe] have/has been doing) that a confrontational
policy towards Hong Kong could discourage foreign
investment.
WEDADT/1
ZBy