TNAG-1177-FCO40-1479-Air-services-between-Hong-Kong-and-South-East-Asia-1982 — Page 15

HITK 184/1

56

Reference........

184/1

A B

Attached.

55

Mr Hoare 1/2

CONFIDENTIAL: COVERING SECRET

Mr McQuade - 17/12

Mr

185) 17/1 thank you

Ziliz

AIR SERVICES

1.

て

Hkk

zpa.

75%2

AFT12

Mr Clift asked if action was necessary on either

of the two telegrams at reference.

with Mr Sindon of MAED.

Hong Kong Flight Information Region

2.

I have discussed them

The Chinese have been told that any proposed alterations of current responsibility should be discussed at technical level within the forum of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). This is as Hong Kong and we would wish, as it avoids the possibility of Hong Kong getting involved in potentially awkward bilateral discussions with the Chinese (the same line is being taken with the Vietnamese who also wish to enter bilateral discussions about changes of responsibility in this region). The matter will come up at the ICAO's Regional Air Navigation Meeting in January in Singapore. We will need to give full briefing on political aspects both to the UK delegation and to the High Commission in Singapore who will act as advisers to the delegation during the talks. For the time being, however, no action is necessary unless Hong Kong come back to us following the call made

in Hong Kong on 14 December by the Chinese to discuss further their proposals (see paragraph 4 of A).

UK/PRC Air Services

3.

jệ most a

to the repandup

The principal outcome of the recent talks has been to grant Hong Kong more breathing space for CPA to attempt, in talks with CAAC, to gain rights to operate a service to Peking. In the circumstances this is a reasonable outcome for Hong Kong. I do not think there is anything we can usefully do at present.

4.

If, as is possible, CPA get nowhere in their talks we must expect the DOT at the next round of talks in March to press the case for BA operating the sector from Hong Kong to Peking. It would be difficult, if CPA resented this, to argue against the DOT. In any case BA's rights would be

CODE 18.77

CONFIDENTIAL: COVERING SECRET

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