RESTRICTED
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE ATTC TAIPEI
TELNO 137
OF 111105Z OCTOBER 93
RESTRICTED
02015
INFO PRIORITY PEKING, HONG KONG, BTC HONG KONG INFO PRIORITY UKREP JLG HONG KONG
73
YOUR TELNO 271: CHINA/TAIWAN: DIRECT SHIPPING LINKS
ра
75
142504
MDHOAN 9251
HUFANVAN
мирани
1. We are puzzled that this proposal should come from the Dutch, who are fully aware of the post-1997 arrangements for shipping links with Hong Kong. Hong Kong will retain its own shipping register and its free port status. The Taiwanese have themselves said that they will not regard Hong Kong after 1997 as part of mainland China for the purposes of their policy of no direct links and intend to maintain trade and maritime links with Hong Kong. The Dutch proposal therefore seems to us to be totally misconceived.
2.
▪
Moreover, as you said, the question of direct links is an extremely sensitive and "political" matter for the Taiwanese. Should ETRO issue their letter, the Taiwanese not only would not understand the basis for it but might even see it outside interference in the China/Taiwan relationship. This is something we, and many of our EC partners, have said publicly we will not do: we regard it as a matter for the two sides to sort out between them.
3.
We should therefore prefer that you use the points in the second and third sentences of para one and para two to persuade your ETRO colleagues not (not) to take the proposed course of action. You should certainly not be associated with it, although we agree that you should keep involved in any discussions on the subject and take part in the sub-committee.
HURD
YYYY
PAGE 1 RESTRICTED
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.