Up to now China had therefore been able to avoid taking
action.
Hong Kong
3. Mr Goodlad expressed gratitude for Japanese support over Hong Kong. Mr Fukuda said that Hong Kong's future was
important for Japan. China had been told that Prime Minister
Hosakawa wanted to raise the issue bilaterally in Seattle.
Mr Hosakawa would tell the Chinese President that the
prosperity of the region depended on Hong Kong's development.
But China would only listen to Japan if the issue was dealt
with deftly and quietly.
Burma
4.
Mr Goodlad asked whether Burma would be discussed in
Seattle. Mr Fukuda doubted whether there would be time to
discuss this with China. Burma's Foreign Minister had
visited Japan a week ago.
and frank.
The talks had been straightforward
Domestic Policies
5. Mr Goodlad asked whether the political reform timetable
in Japan would be met. Mr Fukuda thought the chances were
50/50. Mr Goodlad asked about rice tariffication. Mr Fukuda
said that the crop had been as poor as during the major
disaster year, 200 years ago. Japan would therefore have to import rice, not for the first time. The next week, during
which Mr Goodlad would visit Japan, would be extremely
interesting.
PS/Mr Goodlad
12 November 1993
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