TNAG-2795-FCO40-4035-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Taiwan-1993 — Page 32

CODE RAD

020

S

RECT

Mr Begbie FED

L. DEL 1993

RAD SEMINARS

82

Reference.

As wyver

20/5

1.

You may be aware of the RAD seminar programme through which we aim to involve outside experts and authorities in discussion of matters of current foreign policy interest. The Director has suggested that a topic for a future such seminar might be:

China's links with Taiwan, what is the read across to/from Hong Kong?

Taiwan is a subject on which there is not a great deal of outside expertise in this country. It is of growing concern to us both commercially and politically. Discussing it in this context seems to me a good way of putting discussion of developments in Taiwan and its relationship with China (which is changing rapidly at the moment) into a policy context of direct interest to us. would be able to discuss questions of sovereignty and independence. which are assuming much greater importance the Taiwan/China relationship in this context.

2.

we

I would be grateful for your views and those of Mr Garrett in HKD to whom I am copying this minute on this idea. Far Eastern Section run an annual seminar, in June, together with the Centre of Chinese Studies in SOAS. This could be a good topic for that seminar (although I have not yet discussed it with the Centre). I am also copying this to Mr Bunten in planners, as I know he maintains an interest in the general subject.

RF Wye

Far Eastern Section Research & Analysis Dept OAB 2/125 210 6219/6216

3 December 1993

cc Mr Garrett, HKD

Mr Bunten, Planners

dur Garrest

There is potentially a lot in thin

21

topic for us. The dbvious to limone is to the things that China cannot alford to civil I country 2sy Ste in HK - because of the mosques for Taivaan. Our the

Mr Mis

This would

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you

мали

harr

An

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any

nina / Tain (aprachement

lately is

respouw tuck, making

nin?

that equation

more complex.

(KMT activities in HK are

also worth looking thin context.)

7/14