Mr Ricketts
Mr Stone
Mr Whitney
Mr Furness
M3 Bliss o/k
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if we have any past papers we they would
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202.9/11
PROPOSED UK/JAPAN CONFERENCE IN HONG KONG
1.
You will wish to be aware of the attached correspondence which arose out of discussions FED had with David Howell MP and Sir James Eberle of the UK/Japan 2000 Group. It concerns the group's proposal to hold a UK/Japan conference in Hong Kong on business prospects in southern China.
2. It is a pity Simon Sherrington, FED wrote to the DPA without first seeking our views, but no harm done. Stephen Bradley makes all the right points; a UK/Japan conference in Hong Kong might send confusing signals in economic and
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commercial terms HK is "not just another piece of Britain", and we should not wish to appear to be trespassing on that autonomy. But a trilateral conference (UK/HK/Japan) would be a different proposition.
3.
FED intend to discuss further with Sir J Eberle in the light of DPA's advice. I shall ensure we are consulted before Hong Kong is approached again.
Jikoni
J C Morris
WH302 270 2650
21 October 1992
HKD 021/1
confhkJAPAN JM
CODE 18-77
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