TNAG-0937-FCO40-1156-Visits-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-th-1980 — Page 11

7.

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Sir M MacLehose agreed. It was important for him to know the position. He would ensure that when ECGD officials came to Hong Kong at the end of the month, they had the position fully explained to them. He would see whether any formula could be devised which would help to reassure them over the economic problems which were bothering them. One of their worries was whether demand for electricity would continue to increase in

They should understand that even if there was a Hong Kong. flattening out in the Territory, demand would continue to increase in China, thus providing an alternative customer.

8.

Mr Benjamin asked the Governor's view on the possibility

He of British officials meeting fairly soon with the Chinese. was concerned that Sir Lawrence Kadoorie, Dr Marshall and Mr Stones might appear to give undertakings which the Chinese believed to commit the British Government but which went beyond our position.

9.

Sir M MacLehose said that it was much too early for such a meeting. He stressed that the only commitment with had so far been made was to the feasibility study which would have to be looked at by both the Chinese Government and HMG. Any meeting before that had been thoroughly done would only confuse matters.

14 November 1980

Dist

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

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