CONFIDENTIAL
(1)
Topic
(v) Consular Agreement
Political Relations
(i) Coordination of
our policy in the EEC
(ii) Chinese visits
to Western Europe
3-
(2)
Present position
The Ambassador has suggested to the Chinese some form of Consular Agreement which would give guaranteed access within specific time limit to British subjects in China.
They
There are frequent exchanges of view on China in the Asia Working Group. Recently the Political Directors endorsed a common line suggested by the Group which the Nine should take when the Chinese raise détente with us. also approved a set of principles proposed by the Group for dealing with visits by Taiwan "Ministers", sporting teams and cultural groups. In future discussions the Group will be considering the Chinese attitude to the Third World. We are seeking Home Office agreement to the common line worked out by the Group on Taiwan visits.
There has been no Chinese Ministerial visit to the UK since February 1974
(3)
Action proposed during the Secretary of State's visit to China
As for the shipping agreement
The Secretary of State may wish to mention these
discussions when he meets EEC Ambassadors in Peking.
We hope that the Secretary of State will impress on the Chinese the import- ance we attach to Chinese Ministerial and other visits.
CONFIDENTIAL
/ (iii)