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046345 MDLOAN 5293
10.
LEVITTE REPLIED THAT FRANCE WOULD BE HAPPY TO DO SO BUT DID NOT AT PRESENT HAVE MANY OPPORTUNITIES OF TALKING TO THE CHINESE. FRANCE HAD MUCH SYMPATHY WITH THE UK'S APPROACH. AT PRESENT CHINA SEEMED TO HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE IN THE INTERNATIONAL FIELD THAN IN THE DOMESTIC FIELD, WHERE THERE WAS A LATENT CONTRADICTION BETWEEN NECESSARY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE MAINTENANCE OF A STRONG AUTHORITARIAN REGIME. AT PRESENT ECONOMIC LIBERTY IN SOME AREAS OF CHINA SEEMED TO BE GREATER THAN IN THE UK OR FRANCE THERE WAS THE RECENT EXAMPLE OF PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS RUNNING AN UNAUTHORISED PASSENGER AIRLINE. THE DECLINE OF CENTRAL AUTHORITY COULD BE SERIOUS FOR THE FUTURE OF
THE CHINESE REGIME.
11.
SIR J COLES RAISED THE QUESTION OF DR RAIS-BIN-SANIMAN AND OUTLINED THE BACKGROUND TO THE CASE. THE UK SUPPORTED HONG KONG'S BID FOR EXTRADITION AND HOPED THAT FRANCE COULD REVIEW THE DECISION OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE. LEVITTE UNDERTOOK TO COMMUNICATE THIS REQUEST TO THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT.
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DISTRIBUTION
159
MAIN
148
.CHINA POLITICAL
FED
UND
LEGAL ADVISERS
PUSD
INFO D
CONSULAR D
CRD
EASD/ODA//MR MOSSELMANS
ECD (E)
ECONOMIC ADVISERS
CFSP UNIT
ERD
HKD
HRPU
PAGE
SAD SEAD
PS
PS/BARONESS CHALKER
PS/MR GOODLAD
PS/PUS
MR LANKESTER MR APPLEYARD
CHIEF CLERK
SIR J COLES MR AINSCOW MR ALSTON
MR MILES SIR M BURTON
MR HUM
3
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