TNAG-0275-FCO40-311-Development-of-Kai-Tak-airport-at-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 57

the world. We consult Hong Kong about the

*

disposal of rights at Kai Tak and take as full

account as we can of their wishes and needs; but

we are not always able to meet them since we look

to get equivalent advantage for our aviation

interests elsewhere and this is not always avail-

able or, in some cases, required. For example,

K.L.M. and S.A.S. seek rights in Hong Kong and the

Hong Kong Government would welcome their services;

4 equivalent value in the aviation field

but there is nothing we want from the Dutch and

com offer Scandinavians/in return and their requests have

jin

A

therefore been refused. An additional factor to

which Hong Kong quite naturally does not attach the

same weight as we do is that we cannot allow the

value of the rights in Hong Kong to be debased by

over-saturation of the routes through the Colony.

67.

Hong Kong's dissatisfaction with our

"exploitation" of local rights can only be answere

by the general argument that from the nexus of

relations which bind a dependent territory to the

metropolitan country both derive benefits which we

ཟ

+

do not normally try to set out in any balance

sheet. Over the years the connection has brought

trading benefits (to both) and Hong Kong's

prosperity owes much to the defensive shield we

provide (but to the cost of which Hong Kong

contributes). We are undoubtedly vulnerable on

this point.

It would have been easier to meet

criticism if we were making a contribution to the

current project.

78.

The Hong Kong Government have already. decided

to go ahead with this project, with or without our

/assistance.

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN