TNAG-1177-FCO40-1479-Air-services-between-Hong-Kong-and-South-East-Asia-1982 — Page 9

CONFIDENTIAL # 2

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Vietnamese aspirations.

If this was acceptable to ICAO then presumably China would gracefully acquiesce and accept the ICAO proposal. Throughout the discussion Keep carefully avoided any suggestion of an initiative being taken by the UK but for obvious reasons, did not raise any objection to the compromise solution which indeed, if fully implemented, would substantially improve the safety and expedition of air traffic in both Hong Kong's FIR and AOR.

Comment

12.

The more far-reaching proposals discussed, aside from the sovereignty issue, would need to be accepted by the Chinese military authorities. This could involve a lengthy process, and may never be achieved. It will be interesting to see how the Chinese position finally emerges. Keep has tentatively agreed to meet again, absolutely necessary in Peking, but preferably in Hong Kong, immediately prior to the RAN. The discussions were conducted in a spirit of cooperation and goodwill.

if

CONFIDENTIAL