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The first thing we had to ascertain was whether the
If so, what were the
PRC approved of the project.
views of the Hong Kong and U.K. Governments.
8.
Without the approval from the Governments and a definite assurance from the Bank of China that they would guarantee the loans raised from International Banks to purchase the necessary plant, it would be impossible to obtain the required finance.
9.
It was essential to have the answers to these questions
before we could proceed further. These matters involved Government decisions quite beyond our control.
10.
Mr. Lu agreed with this view saying that though Chen Gang had influence, the eventual decision would have
to be taken by the Government.
11.
In reply to a direct question from me as to whether he thought the PRC was in favour of the project, Mr. Lu said that he had already met me in Guangzhou and as a
friend could tell me that the PRC had allocated additional staff to this project which indicated their
further interest.
12.
I mentioned that at a recent interview with the Prime
Minister in London, she had indicated that the U.K.
was interested, and had offered to give me a letter
to that effect. However, I felt it was too early for
her to do this.