Memorandum submitted by Foreign and Commonwealth
Office (China)
II UK OBJECTIVES
IN CHINA
8. The UK has a very real interest in seeking
to try to influence China's political, economic and social development
in a positive way, and to encourage China to play a responsible
role both within the region and in the wider international community.
At the same time we have a number of specific British interests
to pursue. These include supporting Hong Kong's continuing autonomy
and promoting Britain's commercial interests in China and the
wider region.
9. The UK's principal objectives in relation
to China can thus be summarised as follows:
(a) to encourage and support China's closer
integration into the international system, in all fields, as a
friendly and responsible partner in dealing with global and regional
issues, and to draw China into international economic, financial
and trade structures;
(b) to help China deliver economic reform
and prosperity and to eradicate poverty;
(c) to promote positive change in human rights,
giving a particular emphasis to promoting the rule of law;
(d) to advance our commercial interests.
(e) to fulfil our political and moral commitment
to the people of Hong Kong as co-signatory of the Sino-British
Joint Declaration and to follow policies that sustain Hong Kong's
autonomy and independent values. (The UK's policy in respect of
Hong Kong is set out in a separate memorandum.)
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