TNAG-1039-FCO40-1289-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 85

SECRET AND PERSONAL

Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1A 2AH

Dr D C Wilson

Political Adviser

Government Secretariat HONG KONG

Mick Hol

??? TY NO. 51

RECEIVED

Telephone 01 233 3184 | 1001

DESK OFFICER

PA

$27.7

RESA DY

Action Taken

INDEX

Your reference

Our reference

Date

13 July 1981

67

Dear Daird,

TIN SHUI WAI

1.

164

We have read with interest EXCO Memorandum XCC(81)76 on the development of Tin Shui Wai.

2.

We have not yet seen the decision on this and do not in any case wish to comment on the economic and social aspects

see

of the paper. We were however interested to read the statement 178

in paragraph 56 that 'it is known that China Resources parti- cipation is motivated entirely by commercial rather than political reasons'. This is a very definite statement and I would. be interested to know on what it was based.

3.

We have also noted the conclusion in paragraph 56 that the political pros and cons should not be the deciding factor. I have no reason to quarrel with this but I should be interested to have your views, particularly on the likely reaction of the developers to the proposed response. We accept that we cannot use Tin Shui Wai to get closer to some offical assurance on the future. On the other hand, do you think that we can altogether rule out the possibility that the halfway house which is envisaged will cause irritation in China Resources and, because of the investment involved, have some side effect on relations with the Chinese Government?

Что

Dich

RD Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

SECRET AND PERSONAL