8 August 1991
Dear William,
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SUBMISSION
48
Prime Minister's Visit to Hong Kong, 4/5 September
I enclose a draft outline programme for this visit which the Governor has proposed and we have annotated. I also enclose an alternative programme in case the Prime Minister arrives in Hong Kong too late on 4 September to make the helicopter tour that afternoon (arrival by 1615 would allow a short break at Government House before starting a tour at 1730. Sunset is 1840).
We think the draft is well-balanced, both in substance and in terms of media impact. It includes the elements which the Prime Minister agreed (Stephen Wall's letter of 30 July), except for a lunch hosted by the British Trade Commissioner for British and Hong Kong businessmen. We think it desirable to arrange a separate gathering for British businesmen, at which the Prime Minister could stress his commitment to helping UK exporters. A dinner seems best for this purpose (particularly if the Prime Minister is able to travel on the Mass Transit Railway, something of a UK export show-piece). This would leave the lunch free for the traditional large gathering (over a Chinese meal) of Hong Kong community leaders. This would include some Hong Kong businessmen; other business leaders would be invited to the Governor's dinner. We suggest that Mr Cluff's function for Conservative Party supporters (Andrew Turnbull's letter of 1 August) might take the form of a reception. We note that this is aimed at expatriate supporters of the Conservative Party, which presumably means that Mr T T Tsui will not be involved and that there will be no confusion with the opening of his China Club in the old Bank of China building (which Mr Heseltine is due to attend on 8 September).
We assume that Mrs Major would like to follow the same programme, except for the meetings with the Governor and ExCo, the press conference and the reception for British businessmen. We wonder whether she would like us to seek other suggestions from Hong Kong for separate programme items during part of this time? One possibility might be a visit to the Academy of Performing Arts.
Yours ever, Christopher Prentric.
William Chapman Esq 10 Downing Street
(CNR Prentice)
Private Secretary
CONFIDENTIAL