TNAG-2918-FCO40-4193-The-internationalisation-issue--Hong-Kong-Department-paper---1993 — Page 36

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a continued locus in assuring that Hong Kong develops as provided

for in the JD).

7. Hong Kong press reports have suggested

-

though

subsequently played down that the Chinese list "blatant and irresponsible internationalisation" as one of 8 situations which

could provoke them to intervention in Hong Kong pre 1997. At the

extreme end of the spectrum, China would be especially enraged by any attempts to secure the international administration of Hong

Kong. But China is quick to take offence at lesser hints of international interest in Hong Kong. Questions by other

countries about guarantees of democracy in Hong Kong post 1997

are equally seen as a challenge to Chinese sovereignty there (and

indeed held to imply a wish to subvert the constitution on the

mainland).

Pressure points

8.

There is already a considerable level of interest in the

way China treats Hong Kong, particularly in the US, also in e.g. Australia, Canada, Japan. Chinese dependence on foreign investment to sustain the economic reform programme gives

particular influence to the US and Japan. Chinese desire for international acceptance, for reasons of prestige and internal

stability as well as for the economic benefits given by

membership of the right international clubs, suggests possibilities for generating multilateral - as opposed to

bilateral

-

pressure.

9. China's public stance is invariably to reject any implication that she would be influenced by international

pressure. But the facts sometimes contradict this. For

example, during the special 301 negotiations with the US, China maintained that she wouldnot submit to US pressure,

wouldnot then on the last day, signed a' compromise agreement.

internat.NAT

JEB

CONFIDENTIAL