TNAG-2016-FCO40-2871-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Japan-1990 — Page 233

"CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Burns

FROM:

A R Paul

Hong Kong Department

DATE:

3 July 1990

CC:

PS/Mr Maude

Mr McLaren

Mr Davies, FED

LUNCH WITH DR HELMUT SOHMEN: 2 JULY

1.

Dr Helmut Sohmen, Chairman of World Wide Shipping Agency (Sir-Y_K Pao's company) and former LegCo member, `invited me to lunch on 2 July.

2. Dr Sohmen was passing through London on his way to Berlin for a Conference on Hong Kong (which he had helped to arrange) under the auspices of an organisation called the Japanese - German Centre. (The speakers at this Conference include the Senior British Trade Commissioner, the Japanese Consul General, Mr Kubota, and Dr Sohmen himself:) The theme "Facing up to the challenge of 1997" was designed to project a positive, forward looking image.

HONG KONG POLITICAL SCENE

3. Dr Sohmen doubted whether the business/moderate groups would make a good showing in the 1991 elections. He lamented the lack of people of moderate views in Hong Kong who had the time and vocation to take up a full time political career. He himself had had to give up politics because it was impossible for him to combine his LegCo responsibilities with his responsibilities for running the Y K Pao organisation. In a society in which making money was a great virtue, most leading young Hong Kong Chinese businessmen were under pressure from their families to devote more time to business and less to politics. They were also waiting to see which way the wind was blowing. No one wanted to be too closely associated with the colonial establishment. Caution was the watchword: few would show their hand until 1995.

4.

He was critical of the "democrats", describing them as opportunistic and short term in their political point of view. Advocating a policy of confrontation with China did nothing for long term confidence; but it undoubtedly helped raise the political profile of rising radical politicians.

5. Dr Sohmen said that his advice to the Governor would be to press leading appointed members to stand for election, making it clear that if they did not, they could not necessarily count on being re-appointed.

JONAEJ

CONFIDENTIAL