布政司署
香港下亞厘畢道
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DIEU
GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT
LOWER 'ALBERT ROAD
HONG KONG
本署檔號 Our Ref.: ESB CR 30/936/89(92) XI
來函檔號 Your Ref.:
4 June 1993
Ms R M Marsden
Political Counsellor
British Embassy
Tokyo
HICC 181/22
RECEIVED IN RECISTRY
10 JUN 1993
DESK CITYCER INDEX
PA
REGISTRY Action Taken
MB
Dear Ms Marden I
Hong Kong/Japan ASA Separation
Thank you for the copy of your letter of 20 May to John Hall. We seem to be taking one step forward and two steps back with the Ministry of Transport every time that the question of ASA separation is raised. Blaming the Japanese airlines for the lack of progress is, however, a new and rather inventive excuse.
Although the pro-separation arguments have been rehearsed with the Japanese ad nauseam, I should be grateful, if a suitable opportunity presents itself, for the following points to be made to Doi, or indeed anyone else in a position to influence Japanese thinking on this issue:
(a)
Government.
Consulting the Chinese.
Chinese intentions regarding ASA separation are not ambiguous. Seven separated ASAS and two new Hong Kong ASAS have been signed with the full approval of the Chinese The Japanese have themselves told us that they have received assurances of Chinese support for ASA separation. The purpose of the ASA separation programme is to ensure continuity in air services before and after 1997 and that is why the Chinese are handed a copy of the draft ASA text for consideration before it is signed. Furthermore, no ASA has a lifetime guarantee: it may be terminated by either side at any time, provided 12 months' prior notice has been given.
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/So