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4.
Specifically, I propose the following approach:
a)
b)
c)
for the Prime Minister, bearing in mind that Hu Yaobang has made clear that he does not wish to discuss detailed bilateral economic issues, we intend to produce briefing within the FCO, of course consulting you and others as appropriate;
briefing for Mr Renton will be an entirely FCO exercise;
Briefing for Mr Walker and Mr Channon to use with Li Peng will require special attention given Li Peng's interest in education and other non- trade matters, his rumoured Soviet planned economy sympathies, and the lack of any other opportunity for formal discussions with him. In addition to the usual FCO background briefing, we should like to offer you and the Department of Energy some substantial points to make; we should also welcome the opportunity to see your own briefs in draft (we would be prepared to do this, given warning, at short notice). Mr Channon's time will be short; but he would I think be the best person to make a few general points covering our interests in defence sales and transport;
d) Lord Young will undoubtedly have opportunities for substantive conversation with Hu Yaobang and other senior members of his party.. You will no doubt wish to offer a commercial brief, covering particularly those companies with whom he has been associated on his visits to China. Again, it would be helpful if we could see this in advance. For our part, we would be happy to provide conversational points covering bilateral and other general issues. Depending on how the other meetings go, there may also be a need for last minute supplementary briefing for the river trip; and
el We should also like to offer Mr Luce similar convers¬
ational briefing. OAL will no doubt separately com- mission material covering cultural relations, following Mr Luce's visit to China and taking account of Hu Yaobang's professed interest in Shakespeare. Again, it would be helpful if we could see this (at least the points to make) in draft.
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/5.