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RELATIONS WITH CHINA

34.

Have Britain's relations with China cooled since the Labour Government came to lower? What concrete steps are being taken to improve relations with China?

Relations between Britain and China remain cordial. We have made it clear that we wish to cooperate closely with the Chinese Government. We hope that Chinese Ministers will be able to visit Britain in 1975. In Iarch a British Machine Tools and Scientific Instruments Exhibition will take place in Shanghai. This, I am sure, will give a further impetus to the growth of Sino-British trade. Cultural exchanges are also progressing well. There are some 115 Chinese students in Britain and 11

British students in China. Sporting, academic and arts delegations are exchanging visits and London Zoo have recently presented a pair of White Rhinoceros to the Pekin Zoo in return for the two Giant Pandas.

H

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department 3 January 1975

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