TNAG-1479-FCO40-2011-Future-of-Hong-Kong-despatches-1986 — Page 32

CONFIDENTIAL

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ASSESSMENT OF FED'S 1985 OBJECTIVES (CHINA)

PRINCIPAL

1. In common with our Western allies, to maintain and consolidate the

political and strategic alignment of Japan, China end-South-Korea in such a way as to preserve the peace and security of the region.

HMG's (and the general external) contribution to this is

impossible to quantify. Still valid.

LONG-TERM

2. To prevent China from damaging British interests in Hong Kong (with

HKD).

Largely for HKD, but still the highest priority in our relations

with China. FED's contribution is by its nature indirect, in

creating a conducive background of bilateral relations against which HKD can operate.

3. To ensure that Japan remains a liberal democracy allied to the West;

that her economic strength is used in ways which strengthen the free world trading system; that her military effort improves and

continues to be used in alliance with the West; and that she participates fully in the process of Western political consultation.

Satisfactory progress on the first, third and fourth objectives: the second is capable of greater fulfilment but no extra resources are needed by FED to pursue it.

3. To ensure, with other Western countries (including Japan), that

China does not use her military and political strength to benefit Soviet interests, regionally or globally.

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No significant problems but still valid.

3. To encourage Chinese development based on increasing economic and

political interdependence with the West (including a growing British

economic stake) and, internally, on a more open and less totalitarian society.

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CONFIDENTIAL