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system. China is in the process of building up a body of laws which will, in theory, be independent of executive
powers, and again the Chinese are looking to the UK for
guidance. The Law Society and the Bar Association have signed an agreement with the All-China Lawyers Association on cooperation, to include work placements. Several legal exchanges and visits are expected to take place during the year.
5. Trade between the UK and China remains active, but
recent figures haw been disappointing (exports to China
in 1987 £416m, to September 1988 £331m; imports from
China in 1987 £39 2m, to September 1988 £326m). A major factor is that China is facing a number of economic problems, and radical reforms may be necessary to keep the economy in check.
Far Eastern Department
20 January 1989
JS 2AAX
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