TNAG-2911-FCO40-4186-International-support-from-Asia-regarding-the-future-of-Hong-1993 — Page 82

B. International

19 The Group agreed to consider joint roles in which the two countries should play

mutually supporting parts. These include:

(a) strengthening international institutions, so as to improve

(i) the ability of the UN to respond effectively to threats to international peace

and security;

(ii) consultation and coordination in international economic management, including measures to promote greater stability of exchange rates;

(b) strengthening the political dimension of the Japan-Europe relationship; (c) reinforcing the stability of the US relationship with Europe and the Asia-

Pacific region;

(d) promoting stability and free trade within and between these respective regions; (e) assisting the transition to democracy and market economies in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and elsewhere in the world;

(f) controlling the proliferation of arms and nuclear technology;

(g) supporting the development of China as a stable and constructive influence in

the Asia-Pacific region, and as a full and active member of the world

community;

(h) supporting the orderly transfer of sovereignty to China of a prosperous and

stable Hong Kong, and its continuing prosperity for decades to come under the principle of "one country, two systems";

(i) work to control, and reverse where possible, global environmental degradation.

20 The Group therefore plans joint work to review the present state of the UK-Japan

relationship in each of the various fields as a basis for consideration of further tasks and priorities at next year's tenth anniversary meeting.

21 It is recommended that the outcome of the planned review form the basis of a

symposium which might be entitled "UK-Japan Relations in a New Era". It was noted that there would be considerable advantage in holding this symposium in conjunction with the tenth anniversary meeting of the Group.