TNAG-2750-FCO40-3965-Most-favoured-nation-status-for-China-Hong-Kong-interests-1993 — Page 139

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to apply pressure by saying to British businessmen that their contracts would suffer if the British Government failed to give way on constitutional concerns. It was a similar approach to the one they were apparently using with US businessmen over the US Government's position on MFN renewal.

The Governor ended by saying that he was encouraged by the US Government's recognition of the problems faced by Hong Kong. Не hoped that China would understand that the world, and in particular the United States, would regard the way China treated Hong Kong as a touchstone whether China could be invited to play a full part in the international community. On MFN, Mr. Bentsen said that it was very difficult to decide how to tackle the issue. any increase in protectionism could be avoided.

M.J. Dinham

4 May 1993

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Mr Wiggham

He hoped that

Mr Pattison

Mr Ricketts

Mr Cox (Peking)

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Mr Llewellyn

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