TNAG-1736-FCO40-2449-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 112

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FM FCO

TO DESKBY 270100Z HONG KONG TELNO 2503

OF 231615Z SEPTEMBER 88

INFO ROUTINE PEKING

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MIPT AND YOUR TELNO 3579 YOUR ADDRESS TO LEGCO: EMIGRATION

1. PARA 115: WE ARE A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THE REFERENCE TO A

POSSIBLE ENHANCED LIAISON ROLE FOR ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICES

(ETO'S). WE FEAR THIS COULD AROUSE CHINESE SUSPICIONS THAT YOUR

REAL INTENTIONS IN ESTABLISHING ETO'S MAY GO BEYOND ECONOMIC AND

TRADE MATTERS. THIS WOULD BE PARTICULARLY UNFORTUNATE AT A TIME

WHEN WE ARE IN TOUCH WITH THE CHINESE ON THE BRUSSELS OFFICE,

WILL SHORTLY BE IN TOUCH WITH THEM ON THE PROPOSED TORONTO

OFFICE, AND HAVE ONLY JUST ESTABLISHED THE TOKYO OFFICE.

2. WE SUGGEST THAT THIS PARAGRAPH NEEDS TO BE REPHRASED IN TERMS

WHICH WOULD AVOID THESE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS, OR PREFERABLY OMITTED WHILE YOUR THINKING IS AT SUCH AN EARLY STAGE.

HOWE

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MR MCLAREN

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