responsibilities under the Joint Declaration it was felt
that high profile efforts by government-funded agencies to
attract inward investment to the UK could be misunderstood
in Peking and Hong Kong as an attempt to exploit
uncertainty about the future by drawing capital away from
the territory.
26. In February 1991, after consultation with the HKG,
these guidelines were reviewed, and it was decided that the low profile on inward investment which had previously been adopted could be relaxed, although the potential political sensitivities should not be ignored and some restraint would
still be needed.
27. The revised guidelines allow government-funded regional development organisations to pursue normal promotional
activities such as mounting inward investment exhibitions,
arranging seminars, holding receptions and placing advertisements in the local press, provided they take care to avoid any political overtones and consult the Invest in Britain Bureau in advance about their promotional
initiatives.
Hong Kong Dept
7 September 1992
JH4ABS/9