Reference..
C
My Conroy
ECDE) (47
From: Matthew Cocks
Date: 31 March 1993
cc: Mr Wright
Mr Pruce
Mrs Barnes Jones, HKD
FCO (By fax)
Surely Rey's
Sir J Kerr
GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG'S VISIT: PREPARATION BY DGI
1. In advance of Mr Patten's visit tomorrow I spoke to Mr Martin Prada, the DGI Hong Kong Desk Officer, about the Commission's preparations for the visit.
2.
He said that Donaldson, the Head of Trade in the Hong Kong Government, had already met Krenzler earlier in the week in preparation. He expected the Governor to raise textiles and anti-dumping as Hong Kong's concerns. For its part, the Commission would say that Hong Kong's offer in the GATT Uruguay Round on market access and on services should be improved. In addition, there was differential taxation on beverages as between Chinese and other spirits in Hong Kong (he acknowledged this was a small point, but it helped to match Hong Kong complaints).
He thought the Governor might refer to the EC's programme of resettling boat people on which it was spending 20 MECU.
3.
4.
On the EC office in Hong Kong, he said that the Commission had already rented the premises and selected most of the staff
He (although the head of the office had yet to be chosen). felt that a political resolution to the "esoteric" legal
The Governor arguments on rights and privileges was needed. would wish to raise this.
5. In response to my question, he said that possible Chinese retaliation on UK trade as a result of Mr Patten's reform package was not in the brief as he did not know what the UK view was. I said that the matter was being actively considered in London.
seen the Tel. by 31/3?
CODE 18-77
Matthew Cocks
Matthew Cocks
HILD 406/S
AF
06 APR 1993
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