BY FAX
布政司署
迷下亞厘畢道
RESTRICTED
cc to fE WO7/10
GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT
LOWER ALBERT ROAD
HONG KONG
74
*** Our Ref.:
0205
6 00
October
Der 1993
* Your Ref..
993
R. A. J. Bunten Esq.
HKD, FCO.
OFFIC
Take:
Nkar Rod,
China/Taivan; Direct Shipping Links
You asked whether we have any comments on ATTC
Taipei's Telno 271.
73
The problems in relation to shipping links between the mainland and Taiwan, via Hong Kong following its return to China after 1997, may not be as great as envisaged by the European Trade Representatives' Organisation (ETRO), having regard to statements made by Taiwanese officials.
Kao Kunglien, Vice Chairman of the Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) in the Executive Yuan, was quoted in the Taiwan press in May as saying that the MAC will study and formulate a law governing Taiwanese relations with Hong Kong and Macau, in order to maintain trade and navigation links between Taiwan and Hong Kong, and to avoid a retrogression of Taiwan/Hong Kong relations due to the application of the Regulations on Cross Strait People's Relations. Kao said Taiwan will treat. Hong Kong as a separate administrative region from the mainland, and will maintain trade and navigation ties with Hong Kong, which will not be treated as a third country after 1997; this is to say that Taiwan will overcome communist China's obstructions in order to maintain current Taiwan/Hong Kong relations beyond 1997.
It is of course in Hong Kong's interests that ships from Hong Kong can continue to berth at Taiwan ports after 1997. Any additional assurances that ETRO can elicit in this regard can only be helpful. Seen from here, we do not see any particular problem about Mr. Morrice being party to an ETRO approach to the Taiwanese authorities on this, provided of course that no impression is created that he is in any way acting on behalf of the Hor
g Government.
(Ms. Armette Lee)
Assistant Political Adviser (G)
RESTRICTED
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.