TNAG-2469-FCO40-3593-Most-favoured-nation-status-for-China-Hong-Kong-interests-1992 — Page 57

GOVERMENT HOUSE HONG KONG.

(fax)

JPA

THU 03 DEC 92 14:11

CONFIDENTIAL

MAN3 091

MI Barnes- Jon attachmen

F

PS/GH

M Mami

4/12

We'll get more of this

3/12

иннидива...

China/MFN

pa

7/12

M

PG.02

POLI

Page

ADVIS

2/2975.

GOPERNMENT SECRETAR

3/12/93

OFFICE

YAT

The Governor may wish to see the statement at (1) by

US Senator Connie Mack calling for:

liebels

ATA(G)

3/12

2.

(a)

(b)

"a referendum by the people of Hong Kong to decide whether they want to be independent, placed under Chinese rule, or remain a British colony after 1997";

and

the revocation by the Clinton administration of China's MFN trade status "for its policy towards Hong Kong and its disregard for human rights".

The statement was issued in Washington yesterday but,

as far as I am aware, was not covered in Hong Kong newspapers this morning probably because it was issued after they had gone

135

to press.

3.

Point (a) above falls outside my portfolio. (b), I suggest the following "line to take":

On point

(a)

we appreciate the Senator's concern for Hong Kong; but

(b)

we believe that trade issues should

not be

politicized; and