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closer ties with the Singaporean High Commission here and through you seeking to establish a dialogue on Hong Kong matters with the MFA and possibly other Ministries. This will entail us keeping you more fully briefed on developments. We should also, as a matter of course, consider including Hong Kong in briefing for any high level meetings.
On specific points that we would want to put to the Singaporeans, I again look to the Governor for ideas in the sphere of Hong Kong/Singaporean relations. One which occurs to me is encouraging the Singaporeans to conclude an Air Services Agreement with Hong Kong (I understand that negotiations have already gone through one or two rounds) as a concrete sign of Singapore's confidence in its air services relations with Hong Kong after 1997.
Points we would want Singapore to make to the Chinese would at this stage be general. But they should hinge their remarks on the real fact of Singaporean investment in Hong Kong and the reluctance to sustain this if confidence in the territory starts to slide. They might also stress the importance in their dealings with Hong Kong of a secure legal framework and that they look forward to progress in the Joint Liaison Group to ensure that this will be maintained after 1997. The new airport is a tricky issue but one where Singapore's own experience and understanding of the issues is relevant the Chinese think HKG's project too extravagant but HKG believe it will be considerably cheaper per passenger than Singapore's. Talks are currently adjourned. We shall reflect further on specific points for the Singaporeans.
As a first step, I propose to see the Singaporean High Commission, who have requested a briefing on the Secretary of State's visit. I suggest that you might like to offer a similar briefing to your contacts. I enclose some speaking points.
I am copying this letter to Sir John Whitehead: we have recently been encouraging the Japanese to take a more active role on Hong Kong. Although they probably have even more leverage than the Singaporeans, I think many of the considerations apply in both
cases.
Yours Sincerely
Alan Paul
A R Paul
cc: Sir John Whitehead KCMG CVO, Tokyo
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