TNAG-2783-FCO40-4002-UK-business-interests-in-Hong-Kong-Chinese-discrimination-ag-1993 — Page 130

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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

#3 JAN 1993

REGISTRY

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

Action Taken

045601

MDLIAN 6510

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FM BTC HONG KONG

TO PRIORITY FCO

TELNO 12

OF 12113OZ JANUARY 93

INFO PRIORITY DTI, ODA, PEKING, WASHINGTON

pa 12/4

DTI: FOR PS/MINISTER FOR TRADE,

HEAD OF PEP

OT2 AND OT2/20

ODA: FOR PS/MINISTER

AINSCROW, DUS.

BUSINESS CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG: MINISTER FOR TRADE'S VISIT.

SUMMARY

1. SIGNS OF REVIVED SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNOR'S PROGRAMME. REASONS WHY, AND PROPOSALS TO KEEP THE PENDULUM MOVING. IMPACT OF WELL-TIMED VISIT BY MR.NEEDHAM. HIGH IMPORTANCE OF GUANGZHOU METRO.

DETAIL

2 =

THERE ARE SIGNS OF A POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE MOOD WITHIN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS

-

(A) THE CLEVER ONES ARE BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE

GOVERNOR IS DOING AND THAT HE MEANS WHAT HE SAYS:

(B) INDIVIDUAL LEADERS NOW SEE THE REAL LONG-TERM

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM OF A BETTER UK/CHINA RELATIONSHIP:

(C) THE DOG HAS NOT BARKED. NO BUSINESS HAS BEEN LOST: AND

(D) THE VOLUME FROM PEKING IS LOWER.

3.

ALL

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BUSINESS COMMUNITIES HAS BEEN WELL STUDIED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE BUSINESS CYCLE. THE PHENONEMOM HERE IS PARTICULARLY INTERESTING. CLEARLY THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY' 350,000 OF THEM - IS NOT ANALYSING THE DETAIL OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS OVER EVERY LUNCH AND DINNER TABLE. BUT

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