TNAG-2223-FCO40-3194-Political-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Japan-1991 — Page 4

PA

75/GH

IC

CONFIDENTIAL

in Galsworkly

me Coaten, Peking

me Paul, HK), FCO

(.

FED

the Bwns ofr

2. M Sajaty

df (41)

Not a ven clever move

by the Japanese, I think

1

PA CR 1/4731/49 though they may make

some sensible pts to 2.N.

M

K

Lasf 23/33. Mr Bindaa

Proposal to invite Zhou Nan to Japan 9 fa.

Mr Morris

We spoke about the call this morning to me from Oshima, Consul (Political) of the Japanese Consulate-General, who advised that they planned to invite Zhou Nan to Japan in the autumn. Oshima asked whether HKG had any views on the

proposal. The invitation would be issued by the Japanese Consul General, Hong Kong and organised by the MFA. He said that the programme would be similar to those in the past years extended to different personalities in HK but when asked, Oshima could not recall exactly who was invited last year and said it probably was someone from the Chinese University or HK University. Oshima also remarked that because of Zhou's position, they might arrange the Foreign Minister to meet him. I asked how far the arrangements had proceeded. Oshima said they had made the proposal to Tokyo but had not yet received a reply. I thanked him for the information and said I would

revert.

2.

As instructed, I went back to Oshima and said that it was of course a matter for them as to who they should invite. However, we hoped that there would be no misunderstanding or misconception that Zhou Nan would be representing Hong Kong in any way. Oshima said Zhou Nan would be invited in his capacity as Head of NCNA, Hong Kong and not as a HK representative. I said I appreciated that and added that it was important that there should not be any public misconception about the capacity in which Zhou was invited as this could be very embarrassing.

Oshima thanked me for the response.

(Annette Lee)

APA (G)

23.7.91

CONFIDENTIAL