TNAG-0964-FCO40-1183-Air-services-between-the-UK-and-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 61

App. 10

THE HONG KONG PLASTIC MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION LTD.

THE CHIU CHAU PLASTIC MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION LTD.

THE HONG KONG & KOWLOON PLASTIC PRODUCTS MERCHANT UNITED ASSN. LTD.

僑塑膠廠商會有限公司

港中環租卑利街富興大廈六〇二室

電話:H四五〇四三九

香港塑膠業廠商會有限公司 香港威靈頓街卅七號紅A大厦三〇二室 電話:H二三二二二九

港九塑膠製造商聯合會有限公司

九龍彌敦道四九一號十四樓

電話:K八四〇一七一

The Hon. D.G. Jeaffreson, J.P.

Secretary for Economic Services

Government Secretariat

Central Government Offices

Lower Albert Road

HONG KONG.

Dear Mr. Jeaffreson,

1st April, 1980

The decision by the British Civil Aviation Authorities not to license Hong Kong's own airline, Cathay Pacific Airways for the Hong Kong- London-Hong Kong route but to license yet another British airline is shocking. The only reason given for the decision as reported in the news, appeared to be superficial which reflects a total disregard of normal trade reciprocity and, indeed, a complete neglect of the role which Hong Kong plays to the trade relationship wtih United Kingdom. The interest of Hong Kong is entirely ignored and we feel that this is most unfair considering the efforts which Hong Kong has always been making in support of the British trade. Furthermore, this decision of the British CAA is on the one hand a show of protectionism which although breeding in many parts of the world should not be cultivated and against which Hong Kong is still fight- ing a bitter battle as most obviously in the textile and garment trade, and on the other hand in this particular reference amounts to an open invitation to the world to handle Hong Kong at will.

The decision of Government to support Cathay Pacific Airways in their appeal has our fullest and strongest support. Since the outcome of this appeal will tell if Hong Kong's interests will ultimately be looked

13(E1)2

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1.