TNAG-2750-FCO40-3965-Most-favoured-nation-status-for-China-Hong-Kong-interests-1993 — Page 258

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

RESTRICTED

177535

MDHIAN 396

THE SAME TIME ANNOUNCE CONDITIONS FOR RENEWAL NEXT TIME ROUND (JUNE 1994). THE CONDITIONS WOULD REQUIRE THE CHINESE TO MAKE PROGRESS IN THE ABOVE AREAS. SUCH AN APPROACH WOULD PROBABLY BE ACCEPTABLE ON THE HILL WHICH, IN LAST YEAR'S BILL, GAVE THE CHINESE A YEAR'S GRACE TO IMPROVE THEIR PERFORMANCE.

6.

NSC TOLD US ALSO THAT THE KEY TO AVOIDING A SHOW-DOWN WITH THE CHINESE CAND TO MINIMISING THE IMPACT ON HONG KONG) WOULD BE TO DEVISE CONDITIONS WHICH WOULD NOT IMPOSE TOO ONEROUS A BURDEN ON THE CHINESE. THIS WOULD LEAVE OPEN THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CHINESE DOING ENOUGH TO EARN RENEWAL IN 1994.

7.

NSC ADDED THAT THE PRESIDENT WOULD PROBABLY PREFER TO SET CONDITIONS HIMSELF, RATHER THAN LEAVE CONGRESS - WHICH WOULD TAKE A HARDER LINE TO MAKE THE RUNNING. THIS WOULD GIVE HIM MORE FLEXIBILITY TO DECIDE WHETHER THE CHINESE HAD MET THE CONDITIONS IN 1994. AS WE HAVE REPORTED, ONE IDEA WAS THAT HE MIGHT ISSUE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER, BUT SOME OFFICIALS HAVE RECENTLY SUGGESTED TO US THAT IT WOULD BE PREFERABLE FOR THE PRESIDENT SIMPLY TO SPECIFY CONDITIONS IN A POLICY STATEMENT WHICH WOULD GIVE HIM EVEN MORE FLEXIBILITY IN 1994.

8. OUR CONTACTS SAY THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS JUST BEGUN ITS REVIEW OF CHINA POLICY. THIS COULD TAKE ABOUT A MONTH.

RENWICK

YYYY

DISTRIBUTION

75

MAIN

73

.MFN AND HONG KONG HKD

RAD

EASD/ODA

ECONOMIC ADVISERS

PS

ERD

ESED

FED

JOINT DIRECTORATE

NAD

NEWS D

PS/MR GOODLAD

PS/PUS

SIR J COLES

MR CROWE

MR MILES

MR HUM

PAGE

2

RESTRICTED

:

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.