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4. Nonetheless we do quietly encourage partners with an economic stake in Hong Kong to point out to the Chinese in their own contacts the requirements of international business confidence in Hong Kong and, more delicately, that the steady development of democracy there is a condition of continued economic growth and social stability. But the Chinese will see that as a different thing from the Troika Foreign Ministers forming up to them to discuss Hong Kong. Even if couched in bland and general terms it would be
likely to prove counter-productive. The Chinese would
suspect a British plot; it might be hard to keep the
Portugese and Dutch off the more sensitive political terrain, and it could complicate the Secretary of State's important meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister in early
March. Any Troika discussion of Hong Kong would not be made
easier by the juxtaposition with tough talking about human rights in China. Moreover we do not want to encourage EC
partners to start telling us what we should do about Hong Kong affairs.
5. If you and Mr Appleyard agree, perhaps he could have a quiet word with the Portugese Political Director in the margin of the Political Committee on 14-15 January? Since the Portuguese are trying to bounce the Twelve into an extra Troika meeting with the Chinese (presumably as cover for Li Peng's visit), they should be receptive to partners' strong views on the agenda.
6.
I propose also to alert the Governor and the Ambassador in Peking to the Portuguese suggestion. They may be able to add further grist to Mr Appleyard's mill.
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Buchette
PF Ricketts