TNAG-2244-FCO40-3225-Most-favoured-nation-status-for-China-impact-on-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 29

UNCLASSIFIED

FM FCO

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

TELNO 1784

OF 01180OZ OCTOBER 91

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AND TO PRIORITY PEKING, WASHINGTON

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223

177205

MDHOAN 1827

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PRESS COMMENT: HONG KONG FIRMS AND CHINESE PRISON LABOUR

1.

YOU WILL NO DOUBT BE FOLLOWING THE RUMPUS IN WASHINGTON OVER EXPORTS FROM CHINA OF GOODS MADE BY PRISON LABOUR. THE INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE OF 28 SEPTEMBER CARRIES AN ARTICLE (COPY BEING FAXED TO PSGH) BASED ON A ASIA WATCH REPORT ABOUT TWO HONG KONG COMPANIES BEING INVOLVED.

2. THE STORY MAY WELL ATTRACT PUBLIC/PARLIAMENTARY INTEREST HERE. GRATEFUL TO KNOW WHAT PUBLIC LINE YOU ARE TAKING. BEYOND THAT, WE WONDER WHETHER THERE IS ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO MINIMISE COLLATERAL DAMAGE TO HONG KONG'S INTERESTS FROM THE KIND OF ACTION (SECTION 301 ETC) AGAINST CHINA WHICH IS BEING MOOTED IN THE US CONGRESS?

HURD

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

LIMITED

HKD

FED

NEWS D

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DISTRIBUTION

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PS/LORD CAITHNESS

SIR J COLES

MR BURNS

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