Background
CONFIDENTIAL
1. After a visit to Hong Kong last year, Senator McConnell
introduced a Bill designed to bolster Hong Kong's autonomy under the Joint Declaration. The Bill is well-intentioned,
and largely a reiteration of the JD. But it includes more sensitive points, eg a provision for annual reports on JD implementation.
2.
The Chinese believe that the McConnell Bill is an
attempt to internationalise Hong Kong. They know that Martin Lee played some part in encouraging
Senator McConnell, and this feeds their suspicion of a
"British" conspiracy. Ambassador Ma lobbied Lord Caithness about it on 10 February and urged HMG to speak out publicly
against it. The subject is not on the agenda for the
Secretary of State's meeting with Qian Qichen but the
Chinese may raise it.
3.
The Embassy in Washington now expect that the Bill will
become law. But they warn that any public statement would
be damaging with the Administration and could stimulate
further opposition to renewal of the MFN status for China.
It would also expose us to the accusation of kowtowing to
the Chinese. We have therefore decided to avoid
high-profile lobbying on the Hill but quietly to let the
Administration and trusted congressional contacts know of
the points which concern us. The Administration are already
aware of our concern and plan to try to persuade McConnell
to amend the Bill.
JH2ACN/2
CONFIDENTIAL