TNAG-2912-FCO40-4187-International-support-from-Asia-regarding-the-future-of-Hong-1993 — Page 73

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17 AUG 1993

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TO IMMEDIATE TOKYO

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DESK OFFICE:

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INFO PRIORITY PARIS, BONN, WASHINGTON, PEKING INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG, UKREP JLG HONG KONG

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PERSONAL FOR HEADS OF MISSION FROM SIR J COLES HONG KONG PERSONAL FOR POLITICAL ADVISER

PROPOSED INFORMAL TALKS ON CHINA

1 For some time I have been concerned at the lack of strategic dialogue among major Western allies on the handling of China. When I visited Washington in June I discussed

with Winston Lord (State Department) the idea that we might informally and confidentially with certain key opposite numbers for that purpose. Lord reacted positively and invited me to set a meeting up. We have now identified 18 October as a date on which he could conveniently attend a meeting in Europe.

2. I should be grateful if you could quickly approach Ikeda (MFA) and convey an oral message from myself on the following Lines:

I believe it would be extremely helpful if major Western allies could develop the habit of exchanging views informally and confidentially on their strategy towards China. Developments there will have an increasingly strong impact on our interests, and will raise particular problems of handling and assessment:

I propose that a few of us might get together in the autumn for a day's private discussion. I have put the idea to Lord (State Department) who is enthusiastic. I would propose also to invite Levitte (France) and Wallau (Germany):

- I hope Ikeda would be prepared to take part in a meeting in Britain despite the long distances involved. I have in mind that the talks might take place at Chevening, the official country residence of the Foreign Secretary, which is within easy reach of London and would offer a discreet setting free from distractions. To keep our discussion informal

discussion informal, I suggest that we keep delegations down to no more than three per country:

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