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11 August: speech by Mr Kaifu in Peking on "Japan-China relations in a new world" contained a section on Hong Kong stressing importance of continuation of a stable and prosperous Hong Kong. Mr Kaifu made similar points in his
bilateral with Li Peng.
19-21 July: Anglo-Japanese weekend near Avignon attended by politicians, diplomats and businessmen from Britain and Japan: much Japanese interest in Hong Kong.
19 July: letter from Lord Caithness to Japanese Ambassador welcoming Japan's support for the airport MOU.
14 July: at lunch with Mr Kaifu the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for Japan's help over Hong Kong: we should keep in touch and pool our assessments. Mr Kaifu said he took every opportunity to meet Chinese leaders in Tokyo and to impress on them the importance of Hong Kong as a centre of freedom and economic vitality: the future of Hong Kong was important
for every Asian country.
8 July: message from Mr Kaifu to Prime Minister reporting that he had lobbied Qian Qichen about Hong Kong, including the airport talks, during Qian's visit to Tokyo in late
June.
24 June: call on Secretary of State by Japanese Political Director: general discussion of Hong Kong.
14-18 June: Sir Geoffrey Howe discussed Hong Kong with
Mr Kaifu in Tokyo.
17 June: Mr Paul (HKD) visited Tokyo for talks with Director and Deputy Director of China Division, MFA.
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