-
SECRET
низа
CHINA (INCLUDING MFN STATUS)
The Prime Minister has worked closely with the President to help ensure that the latter's decision to seek unconditional renewal of MFN for China is not overturned in Congress. The President has recognised the severe impact non-renewal would have on Hong Kong. The Prime Minister may wish to thank the President for his firm line on unconditional renewal of China's MFN status and to say that the recent Senate vote on MFN (which showed that there will be insufficient support to over-turn the Presidential veto) was a cause for great relief in Hong Kong. We stand ready to continue to help in any way we can.
Despite the resolution of the immediate MFN renewal issue, US/China relations remain cool because of US concerns over human rights, Chinese arms export policy, and bilateral trade issues. There has been no very senior level US visitor to China, eg Secretary Baker, since the Tiananmen events. The Prime Minister might
say:
Zoo
-
Central element of my forthcoming visit to China will be signature of Hong Kong airport MOU. A hard fought agreement with the Chinese.
-
Expect to cover a number of other issues, eg arms control/nuclear proliferation, Cambodia, and to raise our concerns over human rights.
SECRET
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.