FED Длитера
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24
والات کی
From the Private Secretary
10 DOWNING STREET
HICK 02615
10/2312 pm
Dear Johen,
Giffard M. Baald o.r.
8 March 1982 HD PCD.
Mm. Mcllaedy 13
Williamon
سمك
9/3
-no hilp to doi.
DOI informed.
Ви
~
Динар
Ja.3. Bu z wich Zweck wpalz
Prime Minister's visit to Japan, China and Hong Kong
-NR.
Thank you for your letter of 4 March, which the Prime Minister has seen.
Kes. That chor has commented that she would prefer to go today
Mrs. Thatcher has commented that she would prefer to go to i China first. In the past, she has always found visits to Communist countries to be the most strenuous part of an overseas tour and she therefore prefers to go to them at the outset. Perhaps you could kindly reflect on this point. If you consider that the order of visits which you have proposed (your last paragraph) should, for very good political reasons, be maintained, it may be that the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary would wish to offer the Prime Minister further advice. But, if not, perhaps you could let me have a revised outline in due course.
The Prime Minister would like to see something of Japanese culture but has indicated no particular preference.
She has, however, never been outside Tokyo and would like to do so. It may be that you will be able to find a suitable cultural event in a place other than Tokyo.
If possible the Prime Minister would also like to see some- thing of Chinese rural life though she has previously seen the usual communes.
I think it is a little early to give you an indication of the likely size of the party from No. 10. Mr. Thatcher definitely proposes to accompany the Prime Minister throughout the tour and it may be that separate programmes will be required at certain points. But it is perhaps best to wait until we have agreed a revised outline before taking that matter any further. Otherwise, the Prime Minister is not likely to decide for some time on the composition of her party. But I think you may take it that it will be of similar size to e.g. the party which went to India in the Spring of last year.
4/3
John Holmes, Esq.,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
You ever
Lohn love.