3.
CHINA RELATED
RELATIONS WITH CHINA
Want a businesslike and effective working relationship
with China. Need to overcome the misunderstanding and mistrust that have bedevilled the relationship.
RATE OF PROGRESS OF JLG
We still want to see a faster rate of progress in the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group. I raised this when I met
the Chinese Foreign Minister last March. Nevertheless the
JLG has made some good progress and has reached important
agreements on, for example, Hong Kong's participation in the
GATT and the application to Hong Kong of International Labour Organisation Conventions.
AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS (ASAs)
- There has been some delay recently in the progress of
formally separating Hong Kong's ASAS from those of the UK,
but we are confident that this problem can be resolved. We
have recently made proposals to the Chinese, which we hope will enable the process to resume.
DEFENCE LANDS
-
Negotiations are taking place with the Chinese on Defence
Lands in the Joint Liaison Group. Details must remain
confidential. The Chinese are aware that land is a valuable
commodity in Hong Kong and that some of the land previously used for military purposes must be made free for
redevelopment.
KS1ADZ/8