TNAG-1237-FCO40-1550-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 199

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In addition Australian technology and investment which is

of considerable potential value to China and, for Australia,

a valued existing and great potential market. Shared

interests in many fields of scientific research may be

added to the elements which favour even closer ties.

The list of such elements is long and diverse but I

would like to revert briefly to my own company's interests,

which illustrate what Australians have been doing. We were

involved in the creation of the China Daily. We are this

month publishing jointly with Market Publishing Company a set of laws and regulations on China's foreign economic relations, and we will be doing more.

To return to the general subject of Australia-China relations, may I offer the thought that your Committee might care to examine and discuss the proposition that Australia is a country with which China might consider developing a more comprehensive and, in some ways, more intimate

relationship. Such a relationship may well be more appropriate to relations between two countries which, despite the disparities in population and economic development,

have so much in common.

May I turn, finally, to one question in which the relationship with Australia could have a special significance.

The Chinese Government and the British Government have

While been discussing together the question of Hong Kong. some of what passes between these two governments is not our business and we have no right or standing in what transpires, it is not the case that we in Australia have no business at all in interesting ourselves in the future of Hong Kong, commenting on it and offering ideas.

Let me explain./...