CONFIDENTIAL
SUMMARY
VISIT OF THE LORD PRIVY SEAL TO CHINA: 4 8 JANUARY 1982
1.
2.
Mr Atkins was accompanied by Mrs Atkins, his PPS,
Mr Tom Arnold, and by Mr Alan Donald, Assistant Under Secretary.
The Chinese were pleased that the Lord Privy Seal was able to
come so soon after taking up his office. (Paragraphs 1 and 2).
The talks with Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Canming
showed the similarity of Chinese views with our own over a
wide range of international issues. But Zhang Canming spoke
very firmly about the dangers currently affecting Sino-US
relations. (Paragraphs 4 and 5).
3.
Talks with Vice Premier Ji Pengfei and with Premier
Zhao Ziyang showed that the Chinese have started to think
afresh about the future of Hong Kong. Premier Zhao confirmed
that Mrs Thatcher's proposed visit to China later this year
would be very welcome. (Paragraphs 6 and 7).
4.
Mr Atkins also spent a day in Shanghai where he met
British businessmen and reinforced our good relations with
the Mayor. (Paragraph 8).
5.
This was a successful and useful visit and laid a
good basis for further development of our very good relations
with China and for future high level exchanges. (Paragraph 9).
CONFIDENTIAL
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