TNAG-2228-FCO40-3200-Political-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Singapore-1991 — Page 2

Mr

cox

CONFIDENTIAL

M

Thanks. I agree that

care to needed,

particulcian at présent. 13/Kin

Reference

Mr Stone

to Mote

n. p.a.

CLOSER COOPERATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SINGAPORE:

INTERNATIONALISATION

T13/12

贷

8

Mr Stone's minute of 28 November invited my comments on the internationalisation aspects of closer Hong

1.

A

B

attached

Kong/Singapore cooperation.

2.

There is always a risk that China will interpret close interest/involvement in Hong Kong's affairs by a foreign state as internationalisation (vis the US McConnell Bill). But they might be indulgent towards Singapore. My understanding was that China took a generally benign view of Singapore and they enjoyed good, pragmatic relations. You may recall that when the Secretary of State commented to Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong that Li Peng "did not smile at us", Mr Goh said that he did smile when he came to Singapore: perhaps he was more relaxed with the Singaporeans (FCO telno 346). Against this background it might be that China could even welcome closer (even political) ties with Singapore. Might they not take the view that Singapore, (who knew how to behave towards China) could teach Hong Kong, (who did not seem to have learnt) a thing or two?

On the other hand, you will recall the recent report suggesting Chinese sensitivity about attempts to

3.

CODE 18-77

"Singaporeanise" Hong Kong ie put it beyond China's effective control. So a) perhaps China is more equivocal about

Singapore than I had thought; and b) anyway, China may well

be very sensitive about Hong Kong's links with Singapore. should feel our way carefully on this issue.

We

Jharia

J C Morris

4 December 1991

CC:

Mr Stone (B only)

HKB 020/11

JM3AAH

CONFIDENTIAL