TNAG-2606-FCO40-3797-International-support-from-Japan-regarding-the-future-of-Hon-1992 — Page 13

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SIR JOHN COLE'S VISIT TO JAPAN; 9 - 12 NOVEMBER

HONG KONG

BACKGROUND

Reference A: FCO TELNO 514:

SECRETARY OF STATE'S MESSAGE

TO MR WATNABE

Reference B: SUMMARY OF GOVERNOR'S CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS

1. Japan is uniquely placed to influence China and their continuing support over Hong Kong is even more important now

that we are entering a difficult period in our relations with

Peking.

2. Mr Watanabe used lines to take on democracy provided by us

at his request during his visit to China in January. But in

general the Japanese have preferred to emphasize the need to preserve Hong Kong's economic freedoms. During his visit to

Japan from 21 24 June, Mr Goodlad thanked the Japanese for

their help over Hong Kong with the Chinese and pointed up

democratic development as a key issue.

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3. We have been in close touch with the Japanese over constitutional developments in Hong Kong. When the Secretary

of State saw Mr Watanabe in New York on 22 September he told

him that the Governor would be making a major policy speech on

7 October in which he would set out his constitutional

proposals. These were designed to meet the needs of effective and accountable government; to make the electoral system more

democratic and fair; and to maximise the chances of

continuity through 1997 by exploiting to the full the

Bgd.colejap. BTC

JEB