TNAG-2967-FCO40-4246-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-inclusion-of--1993 — Page 103

30-MAY-1993

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17:05

BRITISH TRADE COMM

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2.05

On the Hongs' influence in the BCC, Mr Chiu said a good number of members were concerned that the BCC would become a platform for the Hongs, and particularly, for Jardines. There were murmurs already that Jardines were intensifying their interest in the constitution of the BCC following Martin Barrows defeat last week in the General Chamber of 'Do Jardines want to make Commerce's Committce elections,

him chairman of the BCC?". A number of leading businessmon in Hong Kong were now angling for political platforms. The Employers Association, a strong voice in the business community, chaired at present by Sir William Stones, is increasing its annual membership fee from HK$9,000 to HK$18,000 to increase their activities -

in Hong Kong and particularly their lobbying activities clsewhere. Other organisations were also trying to increase their political profiles eg the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Hong Kong Institute of Engineers etc. He personally hoped the BCC would not become another pawn in this game (although he romaine an advocate for an international Chamber of Commerce LEGCO representative - preferrably from a beefed-up Chamber of Commerce).

On Mr McWhirter's contract, Mr Chiu said the matter had to

But it be discussed more fully by the General Committee. would probably be prudent not to go beyond a 12 months' extension at this stage, leaving open the possibility of recruiting a more senior man if matters evolve in that

way.

I mentioned in passing that there may be a number of senior HKG officers available in the near future; · ona such that came to mind was John Yaxley, HKG Commissioner in London. As far as I knew, Mr Yaxley would be retiring from HKG service in October/November this year, but I had

He is however no idea what his longer term plans were. the sort of person who could probably do the job admirably. He is confident and has ready access to Ministers, senior businessmen and officials in London and his connections here in Hong Kong are at the highest level; he has also been working closely with the DTI and BOTE in the UK on promoting British companies' interests in Hong Kong and of course he is an achiever and is on

But that was equal terms with, for example, the Taipans. only one thought there are doubtless many other suitably qualified candidates. I said I personally was not enamoured of the idea that the Chamber should go for a military man.

On the question of collocating the BCC with the Commercial section in the new Consulate-General (CG), Mr Chiu said

The Committee that he thought the position was unchanged.

at this point in time were very much of the view that collocation would be a good thing. But the position could- of course change if relations between Britain and China

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