TNAG-2287-FCO40-3290-Chinese-personalities-involved-with-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 65

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R A Burns Esq

Personalities.

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Nominal

(2)

BRITISH CONSULATE GENERAL

LOS ANGELES

3701 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, Ca 90010

11 April 1991

Assistant Under Secretary of State Far Eastern, Hong Kong, South Asian

and South East Asian Departments Foreign and Commonwealth office London

Dear Andyow,

M. Jances :FIED

Mr Cox

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Sir John Cores

M. Hervey

12414/5 Me Callan: FUSD)

Mr Paul: HKD

MY TELNO 9 OF 16 MARCH: THE NEW CHINESE AMBASSADOR

LONDON

MA YUZHEN My wife and I had lunch yesterday with Mr and Mrs Yuzhen Ma. Mr Ma said he thought agreement had been given in London to his appointment as Ambassador but no official announcement had yet been made in Peking. He is obviously very pleased to be going to Britain which he has visited on a number of occasions. He said his main objective would be to help ensure a good relationship with Britain regarding Hong Kong. He said a smooth handover was essential for China's reputation China had the

most to lose (even more than the UK) if things went wrong. Not only would a flawed transfer reflect badly on China

internationally, but they stood to lose a lot economically: Hong Kong was very important to China (and, he hastened to say, China was important to Hong Kong).

2. Mr Ma said the word from Peking was that the Foreign Secretary's visit had gone well and there was now more understanding on both sides. He said the Chinese authorities had no wish to be involved in the administration of Hong Kong before 1997 but it was essential that they be consulted on development plans extending beyond 1997. In particular, they thought the plans for the new airport should be modified to reduce the cost outstanding after transfer. Incidentally, he seemed to know nothing of the Capital Works Reserve Fund.

3.

Mrs Ma (whose Doctorate is in chemistry) is very keen to visit museums and heritage sites. She is also a student of British cinema (apparently there was a time in China when the only foreign films shown were British). Her father was the manager of a British-owned coal mine in China.

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