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B
yesterday that the
Embassy had noticed a recent improvement in
the speed of visa issue.)
Background and Argument
4.
In his submission of 5 November Mr Hum explored the possible
opportunities that would arise during 1987 for Ministerial
contacts with the Chinese in order primarily to pursue with them
Mr Hum
Our dialogue on "convergence" and the Basic Law.
recommended inter alia that opportunities for contacts between
the Secretary of State and Wu Xueqian should be actively sought.
The possible visit to Japan by the Secretary of State in May/June
and Wu's Eastern European trip in June/July might offer openings.
The
General Assembly in September would be another opportunity.
Hong Kong considerations suggest that Wu's official visit to
Britain might best fall in the autumn of 1987, when Hong Kong's
views on issues raised by the review will be crystallising (while
we recognise however that there are electoral uncertainties).
C 5.
The
recommendation
Secretary of State generally
accepted Mr Hum's
it would be better
the first half
but commented that he believed
if Wu could be encouraged to visit the UK in
of
1987. On other Ministerial contacts he noted that his trip to
Japan was still pretty hypothetical but he would not rule out
passing via Peking.
6.
It also presents a
mention, in the same
Sir R Evans' dinner with Wu on 27 November presents the
first opportunity we have had to suggest to Wu that his visit to
the UK might be in the first half of 1987.
useful opportunity for the Ambassador to
context, that the Secretary of State would
further talks with Wu during the summer: although given current
uncertainties about travel plans it would plainly not be possible. to go beyond a general hint of this kind.
if possible welcome
Given the welcome which Wu gave during his talks with the
Secretary of State in Peking in mid-October
7.
of Our dialogue on
convergence,
I
to the
believe
we
continuation
should use this
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