TNAG-2918-FCO40-4193-The-internationalisation-issue--Hong-Kong-Department-paper---1993 — Page 34

2) FILE

Miri Monais HID RI

Mir Haunten

670

1) Mr Woodyow

секу

Thoughts?

Mv

CONFIDENTIAL

Whitzez FEB 1993

for any

|thoughts on this

HONG KONG:

Summary

[Gritqful for

THE INTERNATIONALISATION ISSUE paper which Mr Ricketts

wants to keep to 5 sides

OBJ

"/2.

1. This paper looks at what is meant by "internationalising" Hong Kong from the Chinese and from our own perspective and seeks

to identify and to assess the means at our disposal should we

seek to persuade our international partners to bring pressure to bear in support of our policy on Hong Kong.

HMG's Position

2.

Internationalisation is not a new concept. Hong Kong's

open market makes it, as perhaps no other economy, dependent for

continued and sustained growth on links with the outside world. Her economic partners take an interest in the territory's future

and in the arrangements we have negotiated with China. Our policy has continued to attract close attention (some of it

critical) from eg the US, Canada, Australia and Japan. We have

responded to this primarily to sustain confidence in Hong Kong,

but also because internationalisation affords us one of few means

to influence Chinese behaviour.

3. We have registered firmly with the Chinese our right and intention to brief other countries on Hong Kong. We have

consistently pointed to the part our dialogue with others can

play in underpinning a smooth transition in 1997. While we have

not felt inhibited about briefing partners, we have nevertheless

kept Chinese sensitivities in mind and, since CHOGM 1989, have avoided mentioning Hong Kong in communiques from multilateral

fora.

P

4. The focus of our contacts with international partners has changed over the years since 1984. Initially we sought to brief

partners on the Joint Declaration (JD). We have continued to brief interested parties after each Joint Liaison Group (JLG) meeting. Following the events in Tiananmen Square we secured a

internat.NAT

JEB

CONFIDENTIAL