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4. There is another point and another way of looking at the argument presented in paragraph 2 of George's letter. If China's main objection in other bodies e.g. the UPU (Miss Hobb's letter to Mansell DPB/A/93 of 6 December 1972) is to the description of Hong Kong as one of our overseas territories, would the Chinese necessarily be more enraged at finding Hong Kong demonstrating self government in the ECAFE sphere by sitting in her own right as an associate member?
5. Another aspect is the degree to which other members of ECAFE might be ready to stand up for Hong Kong as an associate member against any attack on her status as such. While Hong Kong with her prosperous and rapidly expanding economy is hardly regarded by the developing countries of ECAFE as being in the same boat as themselves, I do not think that they would fail to support her on that score. We could also have the intriguing prospect of Russia joining in the argument, if her Delegation saw this as an opportunity to oppose the Chinese on the score of identifying with existing regional members and their rights. I can not imagine that we or Hong Kong would altogether welcome this development. Our joint aim should, I suggest, be to keep as low a profile as possible. But it is a possibility.
6.
The whole thing, however, is anyone's guess at present. The above are my first thoughts. I shall try to see whether there are any indications within the ECAFE Secretariat of likely Chinese reaction to Hong Kong. U Nyun is not about at the moment but I think it could be useful to raise the issue informally with him when he returns. It might have come up incidentally during his talks in Peking.
7. I shall, however wait until I have your thoughts before doing so.
8. I am copying this letter to the recipients of yours, SEAD and UN Dept in the FCO and to SEA Dept in ODA.
to
Your
ever,
Shalho
Copies to:
BG Smallman
T JB George Esq, Colonial Secretariat, Hong Kong
R S Gorham Esq, TOKYO
R C Samuel Esq, PEKING
PCF Gregory HoodESEAD, FCO
S J Moore Esq, SEAD, ODA
Miss A Adams, UN Dept, FCO
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