TNAG-2610-FCO40-3801-International-support-from-the-USA-regarding-the-future-of-H-1992 — Page 3

CONFIDENTIAL

FM WASHINGTON

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 2411

HKD 021/2

CONFIDENTIAL

OF 032321Z NOVEMBER 92

HKD 021/2.

ри

75

016231

MDHIAN 6140

INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG, PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG, ACTOR

026/13

HONG KONG TELNO 2538 TO YOU : LU PING'S VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES

1 I HAVE SPOKEN TO CLARK, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ASIAN AFFAIRS, WHO WILL BE SEEING LU PING. I SAID THAT THE GOVERNOR HOPED THAT HE WOULD TELL LU PING THAT THE PROSPECTS OF RETAINING MFN STATUS WILL

NOT BE HELPED IF CHINA IS SEEN TO BE ADOPTING A CONFRONTATIONAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS HONG KONG. THE GOVERNOR HAD PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS FOR A MODEST INCREASE IN DEMOCRACY, FULLY COMPATIBLE WITH THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT WITH CHINA, AND IT WAS OPEN TO THE CHINESE TO MAKE COUNTER PROPOSALS IF THEY WISHED.

2.

CLARK RESPONDED POSITIVELY. HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT WANT TO GET DIRECTLY INTO THE ARGUMENT BETWEEN THE UK AND CHINA. BUT HE WOULD BE TELLING LU PING THAT THE UNITED STATES EXPECTED CHINA TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS HONG KONG. IF THEY DID, THAT WOULD HELP THEIR CASE HERE. THE AMERICANS UNDERSTOOD THEIR SENSITIVITIES, BUT THEY SUPPORTED AN EXTENSION OF DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG. THE UNITED STATES SAW THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS AS POSITIVE

AND HOPED THAT THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES WOULD GIVE THEM CAREFUL STUDY.

3. CLARK SAID THAT HE ALSO WOULD EMPHASISE TO LU PING THE NEED TO OVERCOME THE OBSTACLES TO PROGRESS WITH THE AIRPORT.

4. LU PING WILL BE IN WASHINGTON ON 9 NOVEMBER. CLARK PROMISED TO INFORM ME OF THE OUTCOME OF THEIR MEETING.

RENWICK

YYYY

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CONFIDENTIAL