1
trading relationships.) One important element in this part of the discussion will be a review of economic and political
developments in China with particular reference to South China
and the coastal regions of China.
(ii) Prospects for regional security.
(Threats to regional
stability: prospects for the emergence of regional machinery.)
(iii) The future roles of Japan and Britain in the Asian region.
(Prospects for cooperation between the two countries in the
political, economic and commercial and security fields.)
The conference would be non-governmental but would have the
support of the three governments. It might be in two parts:
(a) The first part would be a small round table conference,
sponsored by the UK-Japan 2000 Group. This would explore the
dimensions of the problem areas and seek to identify possible
mutual concerns and courses or action (here there might be more
scope for discussion of Hong Kong and Taiwan).
(b) The second part would be a "platform" and fee paying
conference, sponsored by the 2000 Group, or possibly the Hong
Kong Government, and run by the RIIA/HK University which would
bring the conclusions of the round table for discussion among a
wider audience of politicians, government officials, business people, academics and the media.
The role of the 2000 Group would be to act as sponsor of the
conference. We, at this end, would be willing to organize and
arrange the administration of the conference. There is of course
the matter of the responsibility for funding to be considered.
We will discuss this with the British and Hong Kong Governments.
Ltmotoo1112
——པ་ལ-*