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From: CO Hum
Date:
CC:
21 September 1993
PS/Mr Goodlad Sir J Coles (o/r) Mr Elam, CRD
Mr Ricketts, HKD
CHINESE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS : LORD PALUMBO
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I was telephoned this morning by Sir Patrick Wright. we could He said he was contacting me at the request of Lord Palumbo, the Chairman of the Arts Council.
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. Sir Patrick explained that Lord and Lady Palumbo were being actively cultivated by the Chinese Ambassador. Ambassador Ma had called on Lord Palumbo at the Arts Council last year and later invited the Palumbos to 3dinner. He had explained an ambitious project which he
had in mind, namely a Chinese Festival of the Arts to be
Ndinner.
Yes it held in Britain in 1997 to mark the return of Hong Kong to
China. Ambassador Ma had not as yet gone into much detail about his scheme; beyond commenting that Taiwanese performers would also be invited to participate.
He
3. Sir Patrick said that Ambassador Ma had now invited the Palumbos to visit China for two weeks in October. had hinted that this visit would be an opportunity for further discussion of the proposed festival, which could in turn lead to increased trade opportunities for Britain in China. Lord Palumbo was undecided whether or not he should accept the invitation. He was well aware that the current state of relations between Britain and China was delicate, and he was not keen to be "used as a pawn" in that connection. He had asked Sir Patrick to identify a source of advice in the FCO.
4. After further discussion, I agreed with Sir Patrick that I would telephone Lord Palumbo. I would however need to consult a little before giving him the advice which he sought.
5. I have since tried to contact Lord Palumbo, but he is unlikely to be able to telephone me before 23 September. In the meantime, I propose to write to Sir R McLaren and to Mr Peirce in Hong Kong to seek their initial reactions.
Сборни
CO Hum
79
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