From Sir Ralph Robins
AIRMAN
18)
ROLLS
R
ROYCE
ROLLS-ROYCE plc
65 Buckingham Gate, London SWIE 6AT Telex: 918091, Fax: 071-222 0185 Telephone: 071-222 9020
The Rt. Hon. John Major, MP.,
The Prime Minister
10 Downing Street London
SW1A 2AA
15 January 1993
Dear Prime Minister,
I thought I should let you know of a conversation I had last week with Chinese Ambassador Ma.
He came to visit me to talk about a number of important business opportunities we have in China, but he also took the opportunity to express his Government's view on Hong Kong.
He said that it was the United Kingdom that had moved away from the 1984 Agreement and that China were not prepared to negotiate. They would stand firmly to their position as agreed in 1984, whatever the consequences for sino-British relationships or for Hong Kong. He expressed the view that the Governor's current position would lead to a disaster for Hong Kong and do serious damage to the relationships between our two countries.
He did not directly threaten any action against trade with China, though he was careful to explain that they intended to retaliate against the French for their sale of Mirage fighters to Taiwan.
Registered office: 65 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AT Company number: 1003142, Registered in England
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