FED
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
See (11)
حمان
YK
Many thanks for your letter of 23 October. I too was
sorry to miss you in July.
I was interested to hear your idea about the launching of one of your ships. I know that you mentioned this to the Prime Minister on 17 July. I understand that she said that
she would bear the proposal in mind. The Prime Minister
certainly hopes to visit China next year but we have yet to
discuss dates or an itinerary with the Chinese Government. We shall want to take your idea into account when we have
taken discussions with the Chinese rather further.
I certainly see no objection at all to your proposal
for a reciprocal launch in this country. One of the
difficulties, however, will be in timing. At present there
are no plans for any very senior Chinese leaders to visit the UK in 1982 when I gather Austin and Pickersgill will be ready
to launch.
と
Pete
(CARRINGTON)
Sir Yue-Kong Pao CBE LID JP