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4. I think that Lord Rhodes talk with Zhang Canming produced little of interest. Philip Watson accompanied Lord Rhodes in this meeting, but we had taken the precaution of telling the Ministry informally that Lord Rhodes was not to be taken as a spokesman for HMG. On Hong Kong (paras 10-12 of the record) Zhang played with a very straight bat indeed, merely harking back to earlier pronouncements by Deng and Zhao to British visitors. It is worth noting, however, that Lord Rhodes promised (para 9) to campaign for the amendment of COCOM rules: this is of course a subject close to the hearts of the 48 Group, and in which our recent Parliamentary delegation also showed some flickers of interest. Finally, it is also worth noting. (para 14) that Lord Rhodes referred to the possibility of a visit to China by Prince Philip.
cc : RP Margolis Esq
HONG KONG
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Yours ear Michail
M W Atkinson