§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether China has requested the establishment of a diplomatic mission in Hong Kong; and, if so, what decision has been reached.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)My Lords, the Chinese Government has proposed that a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be established in Hong Kong. This proposal is still under consideration.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that Answer. May I ask her whether there is not increasing evidence that Peking recognises the value of Hong Kong separate and distinct from China as a link with the rest of the world, and may it not be that a diplomatic mission would stabilise this position immediately, whatever the ultimate status of Hong Kong, particularly if democratic self-government is developed within Hong Kong itself?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, I am not so sure about a diplomatic mission. The Chinese Foreign Minister has accepted my right honourable friend's invitation to visit this country, and although dates remain to be settled I think that perhaps that is the best way to pursue the matter.
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that in view of 404 the success of the trade mission in China, and in view also of the great hopes that there are of developing trade with China, it would be a pity if this matter could not be dealt with in a manner satisfactory to both sides?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, we certainly hope that it can be settled to the satisfaction of both sides. But we do not think that it has in fact any link with trade, which, as the noble Lord rightly said, is improving.
§ LORD BYERSMy Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness whether, parallel with this, it would not be possible to accelerate the provision of a direct air link between Peking and Hong Kong for trade and other purposes? When I was in Peking that was what was required.
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, the Chinese have suggested that talks about an air service agreement should take place in Peking at the end of May.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, is not the present situation in Hong Kong sufficiently stable to justify a continuation of the status quo?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, it is perfectly true that there are well-established channels of communication, and that is why my right honourable friend is giving this matter long and careful thought.