TNAG-2912-FCO40-4187-International-support-from-Asia-regarding-the-future-of-Hong-1993 — Page 27

Up to now China had therefore been able to avoid taking

action.

Hong Kong

3. Mr Goodlad expressed gratitude for Japanese support over Hong Kong. Mr Fukuda said that Hong Kong's future was

important for Japan. China had been told that Prime Minister

Hosakawa wanted to raise the issue bilaterally in Seattle.

Mr Hosakawa would tell the Chinese President that the

prosperity of the region depended on Hong Kong's development.

But China would only listen to Japan if the issue was dealt

with deftly and quietly.

Burma

4.

Mr Goodlad asked whether Burma would be discussed in

Seattle. Mr Fukuda doubted whether there would be time to

discuss this with China. Burma's Foreign Minister had

visited Japan a week ago.

and frank.

The talks had been straightforward

Domestic Policies

5. Mr Goodlad asked whether the political reform timetable

in Japan would be met. Mr Fukuda thought the chances were

50/50. Mr Goodlad asked about rice tariffication. Mr Fukuda

said that the crop had been as poor as during the major

disaster year, 200 years ago. Japan would therefore have to import rice, not for the first time. The next week, during

which Mr Goodlad would visit Japan, would be extremely

interesting.

PS/Mr Goodlad

12 November 1993

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