TNAG-2290-FCO40-3296-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macau-1991 — Page 235

6 February 1991

D G Martin Esq

UKREP JLG

Hong Kong

Dear Dong

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HKCOZO/1

REC

20 FEB 1991

FILE

Foreign & Commonwealth

Office

London SWIA 2AH

Telephone: 071-

270 3287

¡Y

SINO-PORTUGUESE JLG

9

1. Thank you for your letter of 23 January to Pamela Major recording Carlos Portela's call on Tony Galsworthy.

2. Despite the clear differences between the transition in Hong Kong and Macau, we have the impression that contacts with the Portuguese are valuable, and that there may be tactical lessons to be learned by both sides. It is interesting that the Portuguese appear at least partially to have resolved some of their difficulties with the Chinese over the airport at a political level. It would be interesting to know more about these discussions which presumably took place outside the JLG.

3. The Portuguese complaint about the Chinese constantly requesting sensitive information (your fourth paragraph) has a familiar ring. It is no doubt a problem which will resurface for the Portuguese in other guises as it has done for us. It will be interesting to see whether the Macanese administration does indeed adopt a more forthcoming attitude with the appointment of a new Governor in March.

Yours ever Chins

CJ Sainty

CC:

J Buck Esq, Lisbon

N Whitney Esq, CAB, Hong Kong R Graham Esq, BTC, Hong Kong J Walters Esq, FED

CAMAES CC

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