TNAG-1148-FCO40-1428-Effect-on-Hong-Kong-of-the-Portuguese-and-Spanish-accession--1982 — Page 36

Mr Thomson

Mr Elliott

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference

6.10.,

Hres

02211

attacked

MACAO AND THE EUROPEAN

COMMUNITY

1.

Your minutes of 8 June.

2.

m

14014/6

See 11

I am not entirely sure that the Chinese would object to Macao's inclusion under part 4 of the EEC Treaty. Although this includes the French Territoires d'Outre Mer it refers in fact only to 'non-European countries and territories which have special relations with' member countries. We have previous papers on this, and the Embassy's view in 1980 was that such inclusion of Macao might not be opposed by the Chinese, who are keen to demonstrate their concern for the well-being of the populations of their separated territories. As Mr Crowe suggested, on the basis of a conversation I had with his desk officer, it seems possible that the Portuguese authorities in Macao will clear their lines with the Chinese before making any formal proposal to the Community.

3.

Nonetheless I agree that HKGD's concerns about Hong Kong's reaction are overriding.

9 June 1982

ODE 18-77

SS 8/78

CON

box.

N J Cox