CONFIDENTIAL
Private Secretary
From:
PJ Weston
Date:
13 May 1991
c.c.:
MAR 004
PS/Lord Caithness
PS/PUS
Sir John Coles
Mr Burns
Head FED
Head HKD
1.
Kimmitt telephoned me today. He said that during his visit to Peking discussion with the Chinese of the MFN issue. had presented Kimmitt with an opportunity to weigh in about Hong Kong. The Chinese had of course made the point that if the MFN decision went against China, Hong Kong would be the first to suffer and Kimmitt had said this was well understood.
2. Kimmitt had gone on to say that he understood there was something of an impasse between HMG and the Chinese Government on PADS. His interlocutor from the North American side of the Chinese MFA (Zhang Yi Jun) had reacted with alacrity to this and had peppered Kimmitt with questions as to why it should be a matter of concern to the US Government. Kimmitt had replied very carefully, stickly closely to lines agreed with Sir D Wilson. But he had planted the point firmly with the Chinese that the constituency in Washington which would be most influential on the MFN issue was also likely to be affected by the perception of whether or not China was taking a cooperative áttitude on the PADS issue, a general indication of China's good faith. Kimmitt said he had also lodged this point with the Vice Minister. Kimmitt said he would be interested to hear from the Secretary of State what more HMG thought the Americans could useful do or say with the Chinese to help over Hong Kong.
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Maçox Mastane good 13/6
Ms. M. 14/5
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Should we follow up?x
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MAYAAK
CONFIDENTIAL
PJ Weston
197
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