TNAG-0858-FCO40-1068-Proposed-UK-China-bilateral-shipping-agreement-1979 — Page 104

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and we would therefore be grateful for an up-to-date

ex

assessment of how Hong Kong interests would be adversely

affected by a Maritime Agreement which excluded Hong

Kong shipping and alternatively what you regard as the

minimun safeguards and assurances that would need to be

obtained if Hong Kong is to be included. Seen from here

the problem might turn less on additional protection

for Hong Kong seamen than on equitable treatment of

Hong Kong registered ships in terms of dues, etc.

4. Your forthcoming visit to China may provide a

useful opportunity to gauge whether the Chinese attitude

on this question has changed. Subject to the views of

HI Ambassador Peking we see no reason why you should

not say that your understand that there is a possibility

of resuming discussions and that we regret that the

earlier negotiations could not be completed. If Chinese

attitudes have changed this would make easier the

negotiation of an Agreement which would be of mutual

benefit. You could say that we share with them an interest

in ensuring that Hong Kong should not suffer as the

result of closer ties between the UK and China in such

specialised fields as shipping.

CWEN

[THIS TELEGRAM WAS DESPATCHED VIA MOD ON 16 MARCH)

FILES

MAED

HK&GD

FED

MR CORTAZZI

MR

URRAY

MISS BROWN

COPIES TO:

LIR MORRIS)

SPD

MR PRYOR, )SPD, DOT MR BROWN)

MR PRISTON, CRE4 DOT

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