HER 145
Recidi
GSTRY NO. 51
FEB 1979
00 HONG KONG OFFICE
INDEX
PA
ACIDO
GRS 250 No
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RESTRICTED
FM DOT 19150OZ FEB 79
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER SHIP 1 OF 19 FEB 79
FOLLOWING FOR PRISTON, C/O UK TRADE COMMISSIONER.
Mr Williamsin
FOLLOWING DISCUSSION WITH THE FCO, THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS SHOULD
BE MADE TO MY REVISED BRIEF TO YOU UNDER MY MINUTE OF 16 FEBRUARY.
NEW PARAGRAPH 4.
IN VIEW OF THE CHANGES IN THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND POLICIES SINCE 1977 WE DO NOT KNOW WHETHER THE CHINESE STILL OBJECT TO THE INCLUSION
OF HONG KONG VESSELS AND CREWS IN THE MARITIME AGREEMENT.IF THEY DO WE MIGHT CONSIDER GOING FOR A METROPOLITAN-ONLY AGREEMENT (AS WITH THE ECONOMIC COOPERATION AGREEMENT) BUT NO DECISION HAS BEEN REACHED ON THIS. IF ASKED YOU MAY TELL THE CHINESE THAT WE ARE READY
TO RESUME DISCUSSIONS ON A MARITIME AGREEMENT WHICH WOULD BE COMPLE-
MENTARY TO AN UNDERSTANDING ON EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THE BILATERAL
TRADE, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SINCE IT IS NOW TWO YEARS SINCE
NEGOTIATIONS WERE BROKEN OFF THE FIRST STEP WOULD PROBABLY BEST BE
FOR THE EMBASSY IN PEKING TO HOLD A PRELIMINARY ROUND OF TALKS WITH
THE CHINESE TO GET DISCUSSIONS GOING AGAIN. THE EMBASSY WOULD
RECAPITULATE WHERE THINGS HAVE GOT TO AND WOULD TRY TO IDENTIFY
WHAT THE MAIN ISSUES AND POINTS OF DIFFERENCE NOW ARE. THE GOVERNOR
OF HONG KONG'S VISIT TO PEKING IN THE LAST WEEK OF MARCH MAY PROVIDE
SOME NEW INDICATION OF THE PRESENT CHINESE ATTITUDE TO HONG KONG
WHICH WE COULD TURN TO OUR ADVANTAGE AND THERE WOULD THUS BE
ADVANTAGE IN THE TALKS BEING HELD AFTER THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT.
HOWEVER FOR THE REASONS SET OUT IN PARAGRAPH 6 BELOW IT IS VITAL
THAT WE SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT MAY BE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO SECURE AN UNDERSTANDING ON THE ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF SHIPPING IN
THE ECONOMIC COOPERATION AGREEMENT.
PARAGRAPH 5.
ADD TO THE LAST SENTENCE
QUOTE AND THIS WOULD REMAIN ONE THEORETICAL OPTION UNQUOTE.
PARAGRAPH 9
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