TNAG-2918-FCO40-4193-The-internationalisation-issue--Hong-Kong-Department-paper---1993 — Page 2

16 March 1993

Stephen Pattison Esq

British Embassy

WASHINGTON

Den

Stephen,

CONFIDENTIAL

File

10

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

нко очіть

ANC

17 MAR 1993

HONG KONG AND THE INTERNATIONALISATION ISSUE

1. Mr Goodlad asked us recently for a paper summarising our approach to this issue, and looking at the options for increasing international pressure on China over Hong Kong, should we wish to do so.

2.

I thought you and other addressees might be interested to see the result. This does not break any new policy ground, or require any action of you. But it may be useful to have on the file.

3.

We are pursuing specific issues, such as MFN renewal, separately. As the paper indicates, what we look for from friends and allies, particularly those with significant economic interests in Hong Kong, is that they should raise Hong Kong privately with the Chinese when they have suitable opportunities. The most effective message for them to put across is that they have their own interest in seeing China and Britain cooperating to ensure a successful future for Hong Kong, which means allowing Hong Kong to develop politically as well as economically. We are not looking for high-profile public support, which tends to fuel Chinese conspiracy theories. If Posts want more specific guidance on whether to urge host Governments to raise Hong Kong, eg at a Foreign Minister-level meeting with China, we are always ready to supply this.

Че Ye ever

PF Ricketts

HONG KONG DEPARTMENT

1

Peker

CONFIDENTIAL