TNAG-2783-FCO40-4002-UK-business-interests-in-Hong-Kong-Chinese-discrimination-ag-1993 — Page 48

CONFIDENTIAL

THE Embass

IMMEDIATE

THE TALKS ON HONG KONG. YOU SHOULD MAKE THE FOLLOWING POINTS:

WE WERE CONCERNED BY THE REMARKS BY LI LANQING AND BY QIAN QICHEN DURING THE NPC FORESHADOWING DAMAGE TO ECONOMIC AND

TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UK AND CHINA.

- WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED NOT TO CONDUCT BUSINESS WITH CERTAIN BRITISH

COMPANIES.

THIS IS A MATTER OF SERIOUS CONCERN TO HMG. IT WOULD APPEAR TO

WE BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF MEMBERSHIP OF GATT. ARE SURPRISED BY IT GIVEN THE INTEREST OF OUR TWO COUNTRIES IN DEVELOPING TRADE, AND GIVEN CHINA'S LARGE TRADE SURPLUS WITH THE

UNITED KINGDOM.

-

WE HOPE THAT THIS POLITICAL DISCRIMINATION WILL CEASE

IMMEDIATELY.

3. AS YOU KNOW, THE EC COMMISSION WILL BE SPEAKING IN GENERAL TERMS ABOUT CHINESE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST EC COMPANIES IN THE FORTHCOMING EC/CHINA JOINT COMMISSION. YOU SHOULD THEREFORE TAKE

ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE NEXT WEEK.

HURD

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ΜΑΙΝ

HK POLICY

ECD (E)

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