CONFIDENTIAL
THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO AUSTRTALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
20 SEPTEMBER 1993
13
HONG KONG
Background
AUSTRALIA
1.
The Australians 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.
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.
NEW ZEALAND
3.
The New Zealanders have also been supportive over Hong Kong. Last May Prime Minister Bolger spoke helpfully with Vice-Premier Zhu Rongji emphasising the importance which New Zealand attached to Hong Kong remaining stable both between now and 1997 and after 1997. He said that New Zealand had many bilateral interests at stake. But Hong Kong's prosperity and stability was also important for the wider Asia-Pacific region.
bgnd.sosvisnz.NAT
JEB
CONFIDENTIAL
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