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Not mere pieces of paper. Two way trade is already
twice the level of four years ago. It should be approaching
fl bn by the end of this year.
Greatly increased numbers of students now come from
China to Britain. With the Sino/British Friendship Scholar-
ship Scheme the numbers of students directly funded by the
British Government will double between the academic years
1986 and 1987.
This year has also seen the first Royal Fellows.
Most evident sign of our close relations has been the
visits by your top leaders in 1985 and 1986. Last year the
Queen made a truly memorable State Visit to China. Elspeth
and I, and you, privileged to participate in that wonderful
visit.
Visit produced some spectacular television pictures to
complement our growing knowledge of China through major
television series such as the Eye of the Dragon and now the
Silk Road. During your time we have been privileged to enjoy
visits from your central ballet, China Youth Symphony
Orchestra and Peking Opera.
To cope with ever expanding activity you opened a
Consulate in Manchester in 1986, just as we opened a
Consulate-General in Shanghai in 1985.
There is still more that can be done, plenty for your
successor to do.
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