Mr Donald
579
Reg
SECRET
Bu 2 wedn.
CHORD CM
NORD2518
Ks
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Mr. How
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Enth
FROM: MARK ELLIOTT, FED
DATE: 16 AUGUST 1983
remsee 22/8
RECEIVED IN REGIST
Max. Prijst 25 AUG 1993 cc:
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
REGISTRY
Mr Chift, HKD
Miss Neville-Jones,
Action Tuxen Planning Staff
Mr Williams, UND
W/ CHISH (with ref)
475
A
attached
VISITS BY CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER:
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
1. Peking telno 779 reports on Wu Xueqian's plans for overseas visits this autumn. The Chinese have now asked for a bilateral in New York.
2.
row confirmed on 27 September, and since Wu is likely himself to make this
UKMUS'NY
Ano 699.
M
HKD and we see advantage in trying to arrange a meeting between the Secretary of State and Wu in. New York. China is down to speak in the General Debate at the UN General Assembly
address, his visit will probably overlap with that of the Secretary of State (25-30 September). As Mr Clark says, а meeting of this kind would be natural and discreet. Sir P Cradock has seen Mr Clark's telegram and endorses his view. In the light of developments in the Hong Kong negotiations we could decide nearer the time whether the meeting should deal only with Hong Kong or also cover international questions of common interest.
3.
fisee relho 699)
Lakmis
UND will be making their usual trawl of Departments bidding for UNGA bilaterals later this month. Unless you disagree we shall then make a strong bid for a bilateral with Wu.
4. At this stage we do not think we should ask Wu to stop over in London on his way back from Washington (on about 15 October). As Mr Clark says this would raise public expectations and risk giving a false signal to the Chinese (the Peking negotiations might stagnate while the Chinese waited to see whether Sir G Howe had some concession up his sleeve). But Wu has an outstanding invitation to visit this country, and if the Chinese propose dates we could hardly refuse unless there were obviously over whelming calendar difficulties. However I think a Chinese initiative of this kind is unlikely unless the Peking negotiations have already hit rocks; Wu is new to the game and will probably be happy to leave the negotiations in Yao Guang's hands for as long as possible.
5.
A draft telegram is attached, now
slightly amended in the light of VIMIS New York to the 699 just received.
Mark Shish
Mark Elliott
SECRET