TNAG-2243-FCO40-3224-Most-favoured-nation-status-for-China-impact-on-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 212

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HIAN 5914

ISTRY

3 MAY 1991

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

TO DESKBY 10090OZ FCO

TELNO 1454

OF 100746Z MAY 91

AND TO DESKBY 10090OZ PEKING

INFO IMMEDIATE WASHINGTON, UKREP JLG HONG KONG, OTTAWA, TOKYO, INFO IMMEDIATE ROME, CANBERRA, SINGAPORE

YRTELNO 890 MFN STATUS FOR CHINA: ACTION PLAN

1. WE AGREE TO THE PROPOSED ACTION WITH THE AMERICANS AND THIRD

PARTIES.

2. WE SUPPORT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S SUGGESTION FOR DEALING

WITH THE CHINESE. IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO MAKE OUR

LOBBYING EFFORTS CONDITIONAL ON AN AGREEMENT ON THE AIRPORT. THAT

IS NOT POSSIBLE IN TERMS OF TIMING. NOR WOULD IT BE IN OUR SELF INTEREST. BUT TO POINT OUT THAT OUR LOBBYING EFFORTS WILL BE MORE COGENT IF WE RESOLVE THE AIRPORT ISSUE STRIKES THE RIGHT TONE: NOT A THREAT, BUT A POINT WHICH WILL NOT BE LOST ON THE CHINESE.

FORD

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PS/LORD CAITHNESS

SIR J COLES

MR BURNS

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