TNAG-2606-FCO40-3797-International-support-from-Japan-regarding-the-future-of-Hon-1992 — Page 112

CONFIDENTIAL

VISIT BY LORD CAITHNESS TO JAPAN, 13-16 FEBRUARY

AIR SERVICES: BACKGROUND

1. We first raised the question of a separate ASA with the Japanese in 1988. Occasionally the desultory meetings on the subject have taken place but no progress has been made.

It appears that the Japanese MFA are fairly keen on a

separate Hong Kong ASA, but the MOT (for transport reasons)

are opposed. Recently, given the problems with the Chinese

over Taiwan, we have not pushed again for a Hong Kong/Japan

ASA. When Foreign Minister Watanabe recently visited Peking, the Chinese told him that if the Japanese wanted post 1997 Air Services to Hong Kong, they should discuss it

with the Hong Kong Government.

WEDADR/1

JRB

CONFIDENTIAL