TNAG-2231-FCO40-3203-Visits-by-David-Wilson--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-the-UK-and-1991 — Page 10

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(d)

The

CONFIDENTIAL

Governor

2

thanked

Dr Blewett

for

(e)

Australia's support in securing Hong Kong's PECC membership. He said that Hong Kong was joining APEC. This was

very

so.

interested in partly symbolic since it helped demonstrate Hong Kong's autonomy in commercial affairs. formula was required which would allow Hong Kong and Taiwan to join. We were flexible on the formula but Taiwan was apparently less Dr Blewett said that APEC without the three China's left a big hole. Australia would actively support Hong Kong's application and would act as a marriage broker in Korea. There were some signs of Chinese willingness

flexible. to be

The Governor

if a asked formula had been tried on the Taiwanese. Dr Blewett said that the GATT formula of Taiwan as a customs territory appeared acceptable to

the Taiwanese.

The Governor asked if there was anything Hong Kong could do to facilitate. trade between Hong

and Kong

Australia.

Dr Blewett said that relations were extremely good. He said that he had been a little concerned about the Hong

Law Society's Kong

moves towards a more restrictive approach. Access to good legal services in Hong Kong had been an extremely attractive aspect for Australian investment. The Governor said that he understood that the Law Society was modifying its approach to be

more reasonable.

(£) Dr Blewett asked why Canada seemed more attractive to Hong Kong investors than Australia. The Governor said that the larger Chinese community in Canada was an important factor.

Canada was seen as having more However he hoped that migration from Hong Kong to Australia would increase two-way trade and investment.

potential.

(Christopher I C Jackson)

DPS/GH

21.5.91

CONFIDENTIAL

f