TNAG-1967-FCO40-2799-Confidence-building-measures-for-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 38

PS/Mr Maude

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HKD 09ılı

CONFIDENTIAL

FROM : AR Paul

Hong Kong Department

DATE: 28 July 1989

CC : Private Secretary

Mr Gillmore

Mr McLaren

HONG KONG : ACTION WITH OUR EC PARTNERS

Α

1. As Mr Maude is aware, since the events of 3/4 June, we have

been doing everything possible to rally international support for

Hong Kong as part of our efforts to restore confidence in the

territory.

As far as our EC partners are concerned, we have taken

the following opportunities:

(a) European Council, 26-27 June, Madrid

2.

We pressed for a strong reference to Hong Kong and Macao in the declaration on China made by the European Council. We sought a formula which expressed support for Hong Kong and Macao and called on the Chinese to stand by their obligations under the Joint

Declaration. In the event, we had to settle for a more modest

reference, which noted that the events of 3/4 June in China had

caused great anxiety in Hong Kong.

3. In discussions among Political Directors in advance of the

Council, it had become clear that the Portuguese would not accept

the longer passage, and rejected any reference to Macao. The

reasons for the Portuguese position are not clear, but I suspect

that Lisbon may take the view the internationalising the Macao problem would be counter productive and might provoke an unhelpful

Chinese reaction.

CONFIDENTIAL