TNAG-2019-FCO40-2881-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Australia-1990 — Page 39

APPENDIX (1)

BARRIE WIGGHAM/AUST PAGE 14

8/

MELBOURNE: Monday 5/2: 11.am: Australian Chamber of Manufactures

(Victorian Division) hosted by Ken Crompton, chief executive, Victoria. Also present Keith Stubbs, manager- international trade and Michael Connell, director-trade and commercial services.

Meeting lasted 75 minutes and covered the full range of subjects. A specific question related to the protection of intellectual rights after 1997 because of potential market for high-tech exports into Hong Kong from Australia.

They asked for figures on potential market for canned food in southern China as there was interest in going into some form of joint venture to can and market Australian-grown foods into China. Also indicated a willingness to grow new crops in Australia where there was a demand in China.

reaction: Traditionally Victoria has been the major manufacturing state in Australia and the Chamber has some 6,000 members (note that we saw their National President at the NSW Division in Sydney on Tuesday 27/2). All three were clearly poorly briefed on events in Hong Kong/China and Stubbs volunteered that they would like to organise seminars for their members in both Melbourne and Sydney. He asked if Hong Kong would be able to assist (presumably with speakers) in this regard.

MELBOURNE: Monday 5/3: 12.45.pm: HKABA luncheon hosted by Tim

Acton, Melbourne Division President and State Manager Cathay Pacific (main attendance list attached).

Copy of address available. Tape of Q&A with Barrie Wiggham.

A very attentive audience and there would have been many more questions given time. A number of Chinese HKABA members indicated a desire to ask questions about the Basic Law but were too shy in public said they would need at least half an hour with Barrie Wiggham on his own to put their questions.

-

reaction: Well worthwhile there was a good spread of people in the manufacturing/trading/finance industries.

MELBOURNE: Monday 5/3: 3.pm: State Chamber of Commerce (Victoria) hosted by Keith Retsena, Chamber President (attendance

includes members of Australia-China

list available

-

Chamber of Commerce).

This group seemed better briefed on recent events and more cynical of the outlook. They seemed impressed by elements of Basic Law as spelled out.

reaction: Again, a worthwhile meeting, if only to dispel some doubts and false impressions. The Chamber expressed interest in maintaining contact with the Hong Kong Government and receiving any written briefing material which could be forwarded on an ongoing basis for dissemination to Chamber members at interest.

}