TNAG-2182-FCO40-3119-Hong-Kong-nationality-international-support-1990 — Page 147

CONFIDENTIAL

MR MAUDE'S VISIT TO CHINA, 24-27 JULY

HONG KONG: INTERNATIONALISATION

Speaking Note

Have taken note of concern expressed by Chinese side that we have been seeking to 'internationalise' the Hong Kong question. That is certainly not our intention.

- British Government believes that Joint Declaration is a

bilateral agreement between Britain and Chins which settled

in a definitive way the question of the future of HK. It is our two Governments' joint and undisputed responsibility to implement that agreement and to prepare for the smooth transfer of Government in 1997. Contrary to suggestions made by the Chinese side, we have never sought and are not seeking now to involve other countries in this process.

- When we discuss Hong Kong with other Governments it is not in order to internationalise the issue of Hong Kong, but

because Hong Kong is an international centre. Ranks

eleventh among the world's trading economies and has the

world's largest international container port.

The JD itself makes clear that the SAR should remain an

international financial centre and should maintain and

develop its commercial, trading, economic, transport and other links with the rest of the world. Prosperity of future SAR depends to a very large extent on maintaining international support for confidence in HK during and beyond the period of transition.

-

Economic interests of third countries in Hong Kong, which

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CONFIDENTIAL