CONFIDENTIAL
PRIME MINISTER'S TALKS WITH AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER: 17 SEPTEMBER 1993
HONG KONG
Background
1.
The Australians (particularly Foreign Minister Evans) have been particularly supportive over Hong Kong. We briefed Mr Keating at Australian invitation before he went to China in late June. In the event his meeting with Li Peng was shortened (due to Li's poor health) and there was little time for discussion of Hong Kong. Senator Evans suggested to the Foreign Secretary on 14 September that it would be useful to try to sensitize Mr Keating to our efforts over democracy in Hong Kong, on which Keating was sceptical, particularly since his visit to China.
2.
The Australians passed to us on 2 July their own guidance, endorsed by Senator Evans, on Australia's position on Sino British talks on Hong Kong. This makes useful points stressing:
Australia's interest, as an economic partner, in Hong 'Kong's future and the successful implementation of the Joint
Declaration.
Australia's hope that talks between China and the UK will lead to positive developments (such as construction of the airport and China's approval on agreements with Australia now hanging fire).
Australia's support for democratic reform in Hong Kong along the lines proposed by the Governor.
bgnd.sosvisnz.NAT
JEB
CONFIDENTIAL
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