DINNER AT 10 DOWNING STREET FOR GENERAL SECRETARY
HU YAOBANG, 9 JUNE 1986
DRAFT SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER
[Introductory courtesies]
In Peking, you kindly presented me with splendid
Chinese edition of Encyclopedia Britannica, together
with Chinese-English dictionary. Encyclopedia not a
papaya. But nevertheless appropriate to recall
Confucius' observation in his "Analects".
"I repay your gift of a papaya with a fine banquet.
But this is not really repayment, rather a sign of
lasting friendship".
Depth and variety of friendships between people of our
two countries in recent years reflected here tonight.
Delighted to welcome Vice Premier Li Peng back to
Britain. His positive role in setting up project
to build power station at Daya Bay in Guangdong:
glad that British firm GEC chosen to make this
major contribution to Chinese modernisation.