TNAG-1635-FCO40-2251-Overseas-visits-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-1988 — Page 114

TG1AWH

CONFIDENTIAL

SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO WASHINGTON AND CHICAGO: 9/10 APRIL:

Points to Make

HONG KONG

1.

[With Shultz only.] Grateful for your

for your words of support for

Hong Kong during your visit there in February.

2.

Confidence remarkably good, but still fragile.

support always very helpful.

International

Strength of Hong Kong economy

important in underpinning current confident mood in territory. U.S

Hong Kong's most important economic partner.

3.

Wu

Liaison with Chinese going well at all levels. Recently met

Xueqian in Berne.

Very good understanding with him

constructive dialogue on process of political development in Hong Kong, and other issues.

4.

Glad that Chinese have given firm public assurances that

recent internal changes will not affect policy towards Hong Kong.

I