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CHINA: A SNAPSHOT OF BILATERAL RELATIONS
1. Our principal objectives in relations with China are to ensure
faithful implementation of the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong so as
to secure its future stability and prosperity after 1997 and to
foster greater Chinese interdependence with West. Our immediate
aims are to increase our exports and to involve China in exchanges in political, technical and cultural fields. Since signing of the
Joint Declaration on Hong Kong in 1984 we have made rapid progress.
2. Nine other bilateral agreements were signed since the beginning
of 1984, including the Development Loan Agreement (May 1986) and the
Claims Agreement (June 1987).
3.
Visits in both directions have grown in number and importance.
The State Visit (October 1986) was extremely successful, as was
Princess Margaret's visit (May 1987). Since 1984 14 Ministers have
visited China, including the Prime Minister, Sir Geoffrey Howe
(three times), Lord Young (three times), and Mr Ridley. 15 inward
Chinese Ministerial visits have included Premier Zhao Ziyang and the
then General Secretary Hu Yaobang. The many visits to China by MPs include ex-Prime Ministers and leading backbenchers. Military
co-operation has involved regular visits by senior officers,
including Chief of the General Staff. There have also been or will shortly be visits covering legal, police, labour, energy, space, agricultural and health fields.
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