ARZAAKSUE
CONFIDENTIAL
HRB 026/7
FROM
A R Paul
Hong Kong Department
DATE : 15 February 1988
CC
:
FED
Mr McLaren
PS/Lord Glénarthur
THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG'S TRAVEL PLANS IN CHINA
255
1. I attach Hong Kong telno 610, which sets out the Governor's travel plans in China for 1988. I have discussed these with FED.
2. We welcome the Governor's intention to diversify his contacts with provincial authorities in China. It is clearly desirable in its own right. More generally, it should help to dispel any impression in Hong Kong that his interest in China is exclusively or predominantly Peking orientated. That said, his proposed visit to Peking in early September se
er/seems right. It is clearly necessary for him to maintain a dialogue with the Chinese central authorities. The Governor sensibly proposes to include other (non-political) elements in that visit. I recommend that we endorse the Governor's
proposals.
3.
also
Hong Kong telno 610 also proposes a visit to China by the Chief Secretary in 1988. We Support the idea, for the reasons given in the telegram. A visit in June is likely to be unwelcome to Peking, given the already crowded programme of visits in that month. await the Embassy's recommendations on alternative timing and a detailed itinerary. Subject to that, I recommend that we endorse
this proposal.
We
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A R Paul