TNAG-1926-FCO40-2742-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Sino-British-Joint-Liaison-Group-sub-gro-1989 — Page 8

David Hollamby

BNSC

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FCO

King Charles Street

London SW1

HKC0315

21 December 1989

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- 4 JAN 1990

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INDEX

PA

Action Taken

Pu

'3/1

Mr. Cannon

HKD

83

The Macharen

.COMED

Grateful for comment on para. 3 pl. D. J. Hallan I

SEND)

JEC ABA

Cear David

We understand that the US State Department are likely to grant export licences which will permit ASIASAT and AUSSAT to be launched on Chinese-built launchers.

We are concerned that the Cable & Wireless/Hong Kong Post Office involvement in ASIASAT could mean that the UK could be liable under the 1972 Liability Convention for any damage. caused by the satellite.

When I spoke to Jonathan Dart some months ago about the extension of the Outer Space Act 1986 to the Dependent Territories he said that discussions on Hong Kong were being pursued separately as any new legislation had to be discussed with China. I would be grateful if you could update us on the current position. It would also be helpful if you could let us know the extent of FCO involvement with ASIASAT and whether the issue of covering the UK's international obligations under the space Conventions has been raised.

We would also be grateful for any further information on the extension of the Outer Space Act to Ascension Island.

Yours sincerely

Yatrice Judd

PATRICIA JUDD

cc John Milne

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