TNAG-1491-FCO40-2049-Future-of-Hong-Kong-General-Agreement-on-Tariffs-and-Trade-(-1986 — Page 194

6. If, meanwhile, the USTR return to the subject, you should develop the points above and use your discretion to draw on our joint DTI/FCO paper on China and

ATT enclosed by John Shepherd in his letter of 7 November to Rosemary Spencer. Your overall aim should be to reassure the US that we agree with them and to en- courage them to develop a firm public line when the time comes. As you know, the UK is keen to maintain as low a profile as possible, for reasons USTR will understand, while the position of Hong Kong in GATT remains under discussion in the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group.

ROBERT P MADELIN