CONFIDENTIAL
46
SIR JOHN COLES' VISIT TO WASHINGTON 12-13 MAY
oy ke dest.
THE MCCONNELL BILL
Points to Make
-
The Bill is a matter for US congress. The US has a very
large stake in Hong Kong. Natural that they take an
interest.
pc
-
We appreciate the strong support which the US
Administration has consistently given to the arrangements for Hong Kong's future in the Joint Declaration.
- We warmly welcome continuing US investment and business interests in Hong Kong.
Chinese have registered in fairly firm terms with us their
concern about the earlier reporting requirement on the implementation of the JD, as well as the wider intention of
the Bill.
I have advised them strongly that to make an issue of
this would be counterproductive. Grateful for
Administration's efforts to get this reporting requirement
changed.
Will not satisfy Chinese. We will continue to urge them to keep this in perspective. But they will probably feel
compelled to make a political fuss.
JH2AET/1
SLM
CONFIDENTIAL
HKD 021/2
RECEIVED IN ME
14 MAY 1997
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