CONFIDENTIAL
opening a Consulate-General in Canton as Ministers may have to take decisions on this early in the New Year. This would also be an opportunity to discuss cross-border
For a security issues with the provincial authorities. different perspective, the Minister would also like to visit Kunming (Yunnan Province). The last senior British
This would allow visitor was HM The Queen in 1986. familiarisation with the Chinese approach in drugs, AIDS and minority rights and there are also commercial interests (tobacco and hydro-electricity).
If either of
these options proved untenable, Shanghai or one of the other boom towns on the South-Eastern seaboard (eg. Fuzhou or Xiamen) are possibilities.
Hong Kong
5.
The Governor would also welcome a visit at this juncture. Both Sir R McLaren and the Governor consider
To avoid this might best follow the visit to China.
potentially tricky discussion of the exchanges in Peking, the Minister would envisage a short visit, confined to one working day.
Other Ministerial Plans
6.
I understand that Baroness Chalker and Mr Hogg hope to take leave early in the New Year and that Mr Garel-Jones plans a trip at the same time: but Mr Lennox-Boyd should be in London. Since the Parliamentary term will probably start on 11 January, the timeframe for visiting will be very short.
G. J. Day
G J DOREY
CONFIDENTIAL