TNAG-0638-FCO40-786-Supplies-of-electricity-for-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 52

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AEROSPACE

6 The Secretary of State said that with the recent nationalisation of the industry Britain now had a national integrated capability that could compete effectively with overseas suppliers. The British aerospace industry was one with a very high technological expertise, as exampled by Concorde. The industry's capability extended over the

it was an area which whole range of products and aircraft;

he hoped the Chinese would look at in more detail during their visit.

RAILWAY INDUSTRY

7 The Secretary of State explained that British Rail had much to offer the Chinese. It led the world in many respects

in high-speed land travel technology.

PETROCHEMICALS

8 The Secretary of State explained that the UK had a well-developed chemical industry offering a wide range of products from the simple to the highly sophisticated. He noted that the Chinese were to visit ICI, and explained that ICI had been one of the most successful and enterprising of British companies and a leader in the world in its field.

MINING MACHINERY

9

The Secretary of State explained that the coal industry had been transformed out of all recognition; highly sophisticated mining machinery was now in use leading not only to higher productivity but also a great reduction in risk to those working in the mines. He pointed out the success of the Overseas Consultancy Group set up by the National Coal Board in co-operation with the mining machinery manufacturers. In particular he drew attention to the pioneering work done by the mining machinery manufacturers and the NCB in the technology of long-wall mining.

10 The Secretary of State gave further examples of areas of British industry in which there had been considerable technological achievements, noticeably telecommunications and electricity generating. He also mentioned that the Government was very interested in the proposed new power station for Hong Kong. He asked Mr Li about the possibilities of Chinese coal being used to supply such a power station.

11

The Secretary of State said that he saw prospects of building co-operation between China and Britain as better than ever before. The UK businessmen who had visited China had been full of enthusiasm and saw this as a great challenge.

/He