+
}
K Sullivan Esq
PEKING
CONFIDENTIAL
HKK 02617
RECEIVED
23 JUL 1980
30. $1
DPSK OFA
PA
INDEX
Nol
25
GISTRY
ه
22 July 1980
VISIT TO SHANGHAI 26-28 JUNE
K
1. I thought you might find it useful to have on file my impressions of my short visit to Shanghai.
2. First of all, I should record that my journey was far from comfortable and you might find my experience a useful warn- ing for future travellers. Although my flight was destined for Shanghai, it in fact went via Jinan and Nanking, taking in total over 5 hours instead of the expected 1 hour 15 minutes. There was no advance indication that this route would be taken until I had stepped on the aircraft!
3. Despite my late arrival, CTS were at the airport and looked after me most efficiently throughout my stay. My escort was a Hr Chen, who spoke very good English and told me that he in fact had made the speech of welcome when Mrs Thatcher had visited his class at Shanghai University in 1976. If the Prime Minister does go to China next year, it might be worth seeking out Mr Chen for interpreter/guide duties if Shanghai is included in the visit.
Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
4. I found Oliver Barnham in extremely good spirits, no doubt because his bank is very bullish about the future as far as their interests in China are concerned. He showed me a bro- chure and plans for a large new building which the bank is planning to constrct in Shanghai. Apparently the site has already been selected and negotiations are under way with a view to the building being completed in about three years time.
Chartered Bank
He
5. John Brooks, on the other hand, was much more cautious. thought there were good prospects, but his own recent arrival in Shanghai no doubt caused him to view these through less than rose-tinted spectacles. He is clearly finding the contrast with Manila his previous post considerable and may take a little time to settle in. He speaks no Chinese and admits to
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CONFIDENTIAL
/his
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