TNAG-2723-FCO40-3929-UK-opposition-parties-and-Hong-Kong-1993 — Page 17

18-MAR-1993 11:43

BROADCAST MONITORING CO

071 247 5772

P.02

The Broadcast Monitoring ComPANY

TEL: 071-247 1166 FAX: 071-377 6103

HONG KONG

Programme

THE WORLD TONIGHT

Station

BBC RADIO 4

Date

:

17.03.93

Time

:

22:08

BROADCAST REPORT

PADDY ASHDOWN MP:

Yes, but I don't think they've got it all going their way. First of all, it has to be in China's strong interest to maintain the prosperity of Hong Kong upon which, incidentally, or through which 70% of China's external trade is financed and passes [sic]. Secondly, and very, very importantly, Hong Kong is seen in the Far East as a kind of a role model and the people of Taiwan have always looked to the way China handled Hong Kong in order to establish whether or not, in due course, they would exceed to some relationship with China which is deeply in China's interest and which the Chinese people want very badly indeed - the re-association of Taiwan.

Now, if Hong Kong is dealt with badly by China, the chances of a rapprochement with Taiwan and ultimately, perhaps, a solution of that problem will diminish significantly. And thirdly, it is enormously in China's interest to maintain the most favoured nation status with the United States. And if China persists in acting this way they will certainly endanger that. As you know, the Clinton administration has placed a question mark over that anyway. So I think there are other restraining factors on China which will come into play progressively as this thing goes through.

My own view is that the British government are right to resist the temptation to trade insults with Hong Kong, they are right to say that they want to keep dialogue open. We will have to find a face saving mechanism in the end but I think this is a time for rationality, for cool heads and for holding your line.

ALEXANDER MCLEOD:

But face saving mechanisms could be an embarrassment for John Major in the end, couldn't they? I mean, he must remain loyal to Mr Patten whom he appointed but he may be unable to back him when the crunch comes.

PADDY ASHDOWN MP:

I think he has to back him, Chris Patten is a clever, effective politician. He enjoys, as you know and we ought to remember this, the huge support of the people of Hong Kong.

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