-5-
25.
issues
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This discussion brought together the various
technological, economic and environmental which had already been considered, and added a strategic, political dimension. One aspect of particular interest was the perspective from the Soviet participants, both as regards the reform process in the USSR, and the future pattern of international relations in the Asian region.
26. At this stage of the meeting, the Resident Representative of UNDP and the Representative of the Ford Foundation each gave their views, based on practical experience, of the central issues facing China at the present time. These comments provided additional depth to the discussions and helped to focus on realistic conclusions and suggestions.
27. Under Agenda Item 5, "Conclusions and Suggestions," the international participants were each challenged to make specific suggestions for transmission to the Chinese government. As the meeting was private, these cannot be presented in detail here. However, the most important points are set out in more general terms in Section IV below.
III. Meetings with the Supreme Leaders.
28.
The participants had the privilege of meeting each of the three Supreme Leaders of China for substantive discussions. We were told that this was the first time that an international group had been given such a privilege and opportunity.
29.
On Monday, 30 May, the group met with Premier Li Peng for one and a half hours. Opening the discussion, the Premier outlined the priorities of Chinese policy, emphasising in particular, the irreversible nature of China's commitment to modernisation and to international cooperation. He underlined the importance of foreign investment, coupled with technology, as a key component
of modernisation.
30.
On Thursday, 2 June, the group met with General Secretary Zhao Ziyang for three hours. Each international participant had the opportunity to make a few comments and suggestions directly, to which the General Secretary responded. He referred to the central challenge of increasing agricultural production to meet the growth in population, and underlined the importance of the special economic zones in the overall strategy of modernisation.
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