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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
#3 JAN 1993
REGISTRY
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
Action Taken
045601
MDLIAN 6510
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FM BTC HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 12
OF 12113OZ JANUARY 93
INFO PRIORITY DTI, ODA, PEKING, WASHINGTON
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DTI: FOR PS/MINISTER FOR TRADE,
HEAD OF PEP
OT2 AND OT2/20
ODA: FOR PS/MINISTER
AINSCROW, DUS.
BUSINESS CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG: MINISTER FOR TRADE'S VISIT.
SUMMARY
1. SIGNS OF REVIVED SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNOR'S PROGRAMME. REASONS WHY, AND PROPOSALS TO KEEP THE PENDULUM MOVING. IMPACT OF WELL-TIMED VISIT BY MR.NEEDHAM. HIGH IMPORTANCE OF GUANGZHOU METRO.
DETAIL
2 =
THERE ARE SIGNS OF A POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE MOOD WITHIN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS
-
(A) THE CLEVER ONES ARE BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE
GOVERNOR IS DOING AND THAT HE MEANS WHAT HE SAYS:
(B) INDIVIDUAL LEADERS NOW SEE THE REAL LONG-TERM
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM OF A BETTER UK/CHINA RELATIONSHIP:
(C) THE DOG HAS NOT BARKED. NO BUSINESS HAS BEEN LOST: AND
(D) THE VOLUME FROM PEKING IS LOWER.
3.
ALL
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BUSINESS COMMUNITIES HAS BEEN WELL STUDIED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE BUSINESS CYCLE. THE PHENONEMOM HERE IS PARTICULARLY INTERESTING. CLEARLY THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY' 350,000 OF THEM - IS NOT ANALYSING THE DETAIL OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS OVER EVERY LUNCH AND DINNER TABLE. BUT
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