25
Yes.
Mr Kidd Mr Hum
Mr Fry o/r
HUB 180/2
Нив
L6 DEC 1993
RESTRICTED
PA Jardines (I've been pultr веса
Chinese threab
hen)
From: Laurence Bristow Smith
Date: 8 December 1993
10/12
the to
CC:
T
PS/Mr Goodlad
Mr Ricketts, HKD
Mr Murray, DTI XAAA2D Mr Greenwood
9/12
CBTG/CBI CONFERENCE ON CAPITAL PROJECTS IN CHINA, 8 DECEMBER
1. I attended the afternoon session of this Conference. Despite a rather late start with the publicity and fears that turnout might be rather low, it was in the event well-attended with representatives of about 120 companies, largely at a senior level. Most of the audience were experienced China hands and their concerns were largely practical - how to make the right contacts, where to look for finance, what sort of package to put together. Political concerns and even speculation about the economic future were pushed well into the background.
2. I understand that after his morning keynote speech, Ambassador Ma was questioned by a journalist from the Financial Times about what effect the fallout from the Hong Kong negotiations would have on Sino-UK trade. Ma's response was that they were two different things and that China would do everything possible to keep them separate. While this is no more than one would expect Ma to say at the present juncture, it does provide a useful reference point to quote back to the Chinese as and when retaliation on the trade front develops. It is also a useful point of reference when seeking to calm worried businessmen and bankers.
3. Mr Freeman from DoT made the afternoon keynote speech, which went very well. He had been somewhat concerned beforehand that difficult questions about Hong Kong issues and/or political influence in the context of the Guangzhou Metro decision might be raised. In the event, the questioning centred on UK expertise of tunnelling.
4. Mr Freeman offered to be available to meet Chinese
visitors passing through London who their hosts felt were in need of reception a ministerial level. We should remember this when considering sponsored visit programmes.
Laurence Bristow-Smith
FED
WH240
Ext: 270-2953
Ар