TNAG-1063-FCO40-1313-Air-services-between-the-UK--China-and-Hong-Kong-(including--1981 — Page 3

184/1

Reference

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Sindon (MAED G63A/1)

UK/CHINA AIR SERVICES: CABOTAGE

12

1. Your minute of 23 December.

Noted

с

14

Af 4/1/824 Jm

2. Subject to HKGD's views, I would have thought that from a purely political perspective, the granting of cabotage rights to China, if it led to a permanent settle- ment of the present air services difficulties, would be of benefit both to HK/China and UK/China relations. The Chinese would see this as a considerable political gesture on our part and would, I judge, regard such a concession not as a sign of weakness but of goodwill. All this should help to create the right sort of atmosphere for political discussions of a broader and longer-term nature.

3. Hitherto, objections to giving China the HK/London cabotage route have always been on legal/civil aviation grounds. Provided such objections were now satisfied I see no political difficulty in going ahead on that basis.

A. R.Pan C

LAST PAPER

A R Paul

See Hver 184/1

184/1©

нки

1982

CODE 18-77

SS 8/78

31 December 1981

Far Eastern Department K255

233.5539

cc: Mr Williamson (HKGD K242)

Mr Gardiner (Legal Advisers W44/3)

HAK 184.11.

RECEIVED MEATY NJ. $1

4 JAN

سلام

C

PA

R

214.1 / AF 141

H. Callan or

Please see manus, note above.

!

CONFIDENTIAL