SECRET
E
2.
about Chinese policies and he hoped that the Chinese side had
also learned something of British thinking. What both sides
were seeking to do in the world coincided in many areas. Briti and Chinese feelings about the Soviet Union were particularly
convergent: both countries were doing what they could to
curtail Soviet efforts to extend their influence.
4.
The Lord Privy Seal continued by saying that there were
three specific issues he wanted to raise. Firstly he would
like to have the Premier's view on current relations between
China and Hong Kong. He believed that these were very good in
many areas, and were progressing well with many practical forms
of co-operation. He noted that a Chinese Visa Office had
recently opened in Hong Kong. The Lord Privy Seal said he was
interested in developments in the Shenzhen Special Economic
Zone (SEZ). He understood that the Premier had been there
last November: the Governor of Hong Kong had also visited the
SEZ a few days earlier, under arrangements made with the local
authorities. He believed that Sir Murray MacLehose had had
talks with the Mayor of Shenzhen about co-operation in
infrastructure questions, and other matters. The Lord Privy
Seal asked for Mr. Zhao's views on developments in that area,
and also on the prospects for the construction of a nuclear
power station in Guangdong. He understood there were some
differences of opinion about the merits of French and US
proposals; Britain was willing to cooperate with either, as the
Chinese wished, and to make a contribution to the project. He
asked for Mr. Zhao's ideas on co-operation between Britain, Chi
and Hong Kong, not just about the nuclear power station, but in
other respects also.
5.
Premier Zhao said there were now no deep problems
between Hong Kong and China. Economic co-operation was good, as was exchange of personnel. Co-operation had helped the
maintenance of order in Guangdong, and was, he thought, helpful
also to Hong Kong. Premier Zhao said that he had worked
/ in the Guangdong