RESTRICTED
4.
as
The ODA paper seeks to make clear our wish for rapid
implementation of the scheme. It proposes building as far
possible on the well-proven administrative arrangements
for the ODA Technical Cooperation Training Scheme, under
which some 320 Chinese students are currently in Britain. At
the same time, i t reflects our requirement of effective
control and supervision of the way
in which our
contributions is spent. The major specific proposals are:
5.
(i) a Memorandum, to be signed by
by the British and
Chinese Governments and by Sir Y K, which
would set out the objectives, principles and
administrative arrangements of the scheme.
Under this, a separate trust fund could, if
Sir Y K wished, be established to manage the
private sector capital element;
(ii) a flexible approach to fields, level and
duration of study. The major general criterion
would be consistency with the priorities of
Chinese civil modernisation;
(iii) the Cultural Section of our Embassy in Peking,
and the British Council in London would play a
major role
candidates;
in processing and placing
(iv) early discussions in London on the details of
implementation. (The Chinese have made clear
to us that they would welcome these.)
acceptable to
Chinese; the
We believe that this should be largely
Sir Y K and, after discussions, to the
defensive briefing reflects the points which Sir Y K may
wish to pursue further. While in London, he is likely to
discuss the scheme also wi th the Prime Minister (on 21
March) and Mr Renton (on 19 march); he will also be given a