TNAG-2501-FCO40-3639-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Commonwealth-countries-1992 — Page 37

CONFIDENTIAL

6. Singapore hosted the ASEAN Summit in January. Although

ASEAN has traditionally been regarded as more of a talking

shop than an organisation which achieved anything concrete, the prospects for real progress now seem better than in the past. The primary area of interest is economic relations, and the breaking down of import barriers within the region. This has gained impetus from concerns about the possible affects of the EC single market, and of the North American agreed on action to develop a proposal for the establishment

of a free trade area.

Bilateral Relations, including Defence

7.

Our bilateral relations with Singapore are in excellent

shape. They centre on trade and, in the military field, the

Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA). Defence sales have, however, been disappointing, despite the high level of interest traditionally shown by Singapore in British

equipment. The then Defence Secretary, Mr King, paid a

bilateral visit to Singapore on 20-22 September 1991. He

offered to revitalise UK/Singapore defence relations.

was received enthusiastically by Goh Chok Tong, who said that

access to higher technology, based on the UK's Gulf

experience was needed by Singapore. The current Defence

Secretary will visit Singapore in January as part of a tour

including Malaysia and Hong Kong.

This

8. At the Asia Aerospace exhibition in February, attended by Lord Reay, the Singaporeans expressed an interest in purchasing Hawk. BAe are keen to put together an attractive package. Goh told Mr King that he would like to pay an

official visit to the UK in 1992, but this did not

materialise. There is still a possibility of him visiting in

1993.

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CONFIDENTIAL