TNAG-2409-FCO40-3503-Hong-Kong-Port-and-Airport-Development-Strategy-(PADS)-Brit-1992 — Page 262

FAXED ON

4-92

CONFIDENTIAL

29 April 1992

David J Hall Esq

ніка 182/3

Hd/Projects and Export Policy Division Department of Trade and Industry

Ashdown House

123 Victoria Street

LONDON SW1

Jeer Jand,

HONG KONG AIRPORT: MAIN BRIDGE CONTRACT

Foreign & Commonwealth

Office

93

London SW1A 2AH

M

1.

86

Thank you for your letter of 27 April 1992 with a proposed draft telegram to Peking about the main bridge.

contract.

2.

I agree with your proposed line. It would not be right in my view, for our Embassy in Peking to tell the Chinese of the difficulties which Hyundai are experiencing, nor of AJC's other potential Chinese partners, lest it be seen by the Chinese as softening them up for an announcement of a British award.

3. I also agree with your proposed line to take with Sir Gordon Manzie regarding the danger of instructing Peking to do other than respond to China Road and Bridge. The situation regarding the award of the main bridge contract is, as you know, nearing the point of decision. He should leave HKG to handle the Chinese angle of whatever decision they take. We have in fact already taken this line with Tom Smith in Gordon Manzie's office, when he telephoned us.

JOEACC

CONFIDENTIAL

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Adew

RA Burns