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latter had for many years exercised autonomy in planning for the
development of the territory's infrastructure. British
participation in major projects was welcomed, but no favours were
given. The Hong Kong Government and the Hong Kong public were
exceedingly jealous of this autonomy, and very sensitive to any
suggestion that we were trying to lean on the Hong Kong Government
in pursuit of our own commercial ends. The premature revelation of
our financing of feasibility studies had been enough to arouse
comment in Hong Kong that HMG was pressuring the Hong Kong
Government to adopt the scheme. The Hong Kong Government was
clearly giving Mr Wu's proposal full and serious consideration
through the special high-level committee set up for the purpose.
But for HMG to do more to throw its weight behind the project would
arouse local sensitivities and could well be counter-productive.
4.
Mr Costain did not seem surprised by what I said. He
indicated that it was as a result of pressure from Mr Wu that he felt he had to make these enquiries. We undertook to keep in touch.
I emphasised that we were always ready to assist British industry
and commerce within Hong Kong within the bounds of what was
possible: but that the particularly sensitive relationship between
HMG and the Hong Kong Government was one which always had to be kept
in mind.
сбони
CO HUM
Mr Bumn, itko
Thank you.
wi getting wijusentri
Mr
Fordon Wu
Britons to
has
aiways been
assiduin!
jöbly for support for his
Schemes.
The
ini you took
CRA
exacin
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