TNAG-1876-FCO40-2667-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Japan-1989 — Page 51

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(b) HONG KONG

Points to Make

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1 In the run-up to the transfer in 1997 of Hong Kong, as a

Special Administrative Region, to the sovereignty of the People's

Republic of China the UK will be doing all that it can to strengthen and maintain confidence in Hong Kong's stability.

aspect of this is to draw the situation of Hong Kong to the

attention of other major countries with significant trading and

investment interests there. This was done, for example, by the Prime Minister in her recent meeting in Tokyo with the Japanese Prime Minister. While private enterprises must make judgments

based on their own commercial interests, it would be unfortunate

if concerns about political developments in China were to obscure

La inkm-had have, havvy og forud the advantages which Hong Kong continues to offer as a gateway to

as L170 70 of cli jiraŷn inviarnest in Chine comes thrunge Hory Kay developing business with China and as a regional centre for

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manufacturing and services and the fact that China's own long-term interest is in maintaining and promoting economic prosperity in

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the territory.

2 The UK recognises the significant contribution that Japan has

made to the development of Hong Kong in recent years and would welcome continued Japanese support, for example by the maintenance

of Japanese investment and by the avoidance of any move which

might serve to weaken Hong Kong's position.' Developments such as

(and jeak pass distreat saved the his mechry will the borem w the recent visit to Hong Kong by Foreign Minister Nakayama/a likely to have a particularly positive effect. It would perhaps be helpful to explore areas where the UK and Japan could work

together on measures to promote the interests of Hong Kong and to

reinforce its external economic and financial links.

3 We would also ask that Japan might take any appropriate opportunity that offers itself in its dealings with China to indicate to the Chinese that Japan has a major and continuing interest in the future stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.