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in Whitehall. The Meeting concluded that HMG should be advised that in Hong Kong's view an early approach to the French was desirable.
3.
Mr Manzie said that he hoped to get a paper to Ministers shortly after his return to the UK which could recommend an approach to the French at official level before Christmas. If the outcome was positive and Ministers agreed, the meeting suggested that approaches should then be made in both Peking and Canton proposing an Anglo/French consortium. After the feasibility study had been examined and Britain and France had agreed on a package, this could be followed up more formally, possibly by Prime Ministerial letter to Premier Zhao Zi-yang outlining the Anglo/French agreement and indicating what UK financial and technical support was
available.
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Since it would take two months before a firm statement could be made to the Chinese on Anglo/French collaboration, all agreed that some interim sign of continued interest was necessary and that while in Canton on 11th December, Sir Lawrence Kadoorie might say that a senior official of the Department of Industry had come to Hong Kong to collect information for formal discussion in Whitehall. Sir Percy Cradock advised that it was unnecessary for Sir Lawrence to press the Chinese for a formal expression of interest. Sir Sidney Gordon_suggested that in the meantime Mr Lippett might continue GEC's discussions with Frama tome about collaboration.
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Sir Percy Cradock explained that Vice Premier Gu Mu was the man with overall responsibility for the project albeit that much of the work would come under the Ministry of Electric Power. He felt that the Prime Ministerial letter should request regular contact between himself and Gu Mu as this would otherwise prove difficult. The letter might also propose a mission although he was uncertain of the right timing, place or composition. at the Canton level should continue but it was important
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