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carefully. The present proposal is for a visit to Hong Kong from 27-29 April, with a possibility of a visit to Peking from 20-22 April. There are two difficulties about that. HMA Peking advises that the Chinese will be greatly preoccupied with President Reagan's impending visit (probably on 25 April) and will not be in the right frame of mind to discuss Hong Kong helpfully. It would moreover create difficulties in Hong Kong if there were a five-day gap between his going to China and his visit to the territory. be necessary to consider an earlier and separate visit to Peking and Hong Kong in April. I shall submit separately on this.
I submit a draft telegram to Hong Kong.
5.
It may
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MAISTRY 4 APR 1934
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3 March 1984
R D Clift
Hong Kong Department
I agree generally with the draft telegram, but I think it would be wiser at this stage to omit all mention of precise dates for a visit to Hong Kong and Peking. We may be in trouble as regards the Peking leg with the Reagan visit; and there would in any case be considerable inconvenience in separating the trip to Hong Kong from that to Peking by four or five days as is envisaged on present planning. It may be better to aim for an earlier and separate visit to Hong Kong and Peking in April.
2. I have amended the draft to leave this all open. Once we have got EXCO's agreement to the general strategy we shall have to think hard about more precise dates. I am clear that a visit by the Secretary of State to Hong Kong and Peking about this time will be of considerable importance in the negotiations and I hope that efforts will he made to fit one in, even if it has to be a "one off" visit before Easter.
2 March 1984
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PERCY CRADOCK
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