SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO CHINA: OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1972
A.
buring his visit to China Hr Royle formally accepted, on
the Secretary of State's behalf, the Chinese Foreign Minister's
invitation to Sir Alec Douglas-ome to visit China between
28 October and 6 November.
2. A preparatory meeting was held by the Department on 19 July
to consider what recommendations should be made to the Secretary
of Itate about the arrangements for the visit. Those recommen-
dations are summarised below.
A.
DATES
3. The Secretary of State should aim to spend at least 4 full
days in China to allow for both meetings with Chinese loaders
and sightseeing. Bir Murray MacLohose has asked that the
Secretary of State should visit Hong Kong on both the outward
ond return journeys to Peking. The question of a visit to
ilong Kong on the outward journey to Teking does not now arise
(see B. below). It would be desirable for the Secretary of
State to spend at least a night and the best part of a full day
in Hong Kong on his way back to the UK. This would allow for
full discursions with the Governor.
4.
Allowing for travel and rest periods this would involve an
absence from the UK of about 8 days. The Secretary of State
/might
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CONFIDENTIAL