LORD CAITHNESS'S LUNCH WITH CHINESE AMBASSADOR: 10 FEBRUARY
Checklist of Points to Make
Prime Minister had useful meeting with Chinese Premier in New
York. Valuable opportunity to continue the dialogue they established last year.
Hope Chinese Government will be able to agree to proposal for
visit by human rights delegation. Still much work to do
(leader, composition etc). Gi ven election uncertainties could
not take place until latter half of year. Have in mind that it
might be led by a senior Conservative Member of Parliament.
Know that other similar delegations have visited China (French, Swiss, Australian). Good means of deepening the dialogue we have established on human rights, or
or investigating particular areas of
mutual interest.
In this context glad to note forthcoming visit to UK by Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Human Rights Delegation (17 February to 21 March). Know this is a non-governmental visit but should
be a useful initiative.
[Background: The visit is being organised by the Great Britain China Centre. It is a non official delegation although calls have been arranged on the FCO and Home Office. The delegation is also to. visit Northern Ireland. The Chinese Embassy asked if they could accompany the delegation. The GBCC have resisted this
grounds that it would inhibit discussion].
on the
Looking forward to Foreign Minister Qian's visit. Will try to fit as much as possible into the one working day available.
But