TOP SECRET
on Carter
?ам
27
Copy no. 1 of 5 copies
Treasury Chambers,
Ma
Rearling
Great George Street,
London, S.W.1
10th February, 1969
R&R. tome phe
Telephone 01-930 1234, ext. 193
Our ref: 2-FD 24/115/010
TOP SECRET
Lear
24
Moreton,
OPDO(DR) (69)1
виш
11/2
Thank you for sending me a copy of your letter of 5th February to Lawrence-Wilson,
2. I agree your minor modifications to our various amendments other than the non-deletion of the last part of paragraph 77. You will remember that we wished to delete the words "and which are in any case equivalent to only one and a half times China's annual earnings of foreign exchange through Hong Kong".
3.
Was
You argued in your letter that, this evaluation of the worth to China of Hong Kong's sterling assets relevant to their use as a bargaining counter and the words ought therefore to be included. The words give the impression, however, that as the assets are relatively small the Chinese in considering what action to take are unlikely to be influenced by the possible loss of these assets. Ι
rather doubt, however, whether this is a correct view. not only are Hong Kong's assets equivalent to one and a half times China's annual earnings of foreign exchange through the Colony, but furthermore they are approximately equal to China's total earnings from all sources other than those earned through Hong Kong.
After all
4.
We think the words should be deleted.
Yours Sen
eicerely RSteel.
(R.H.J. Steel)
c.c. H.L. Lawrence-Wilson, Esq., Cabinet Office
Air Commodore F.B. Sowrey, CB,CBE, AFC, RAF
¿
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
J.O. Moreton, Esq., C.M.G., M.C., Foreign & Commonwealth Office,
Downing Street, LONDON, S.W.1.
;
12 FEB 1969
TOP SECRET
HKK 4/1
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.