TNAG-0742-FCO40-946-Relations-between-China-and-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 26

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Mr Cortazzi

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TECHNET IN REGISTRY NO. 51

Private Secretary

VISIT OF CHINES POR

PORE

PROBLEM

1.

1978

OFFICER

PA

REGISTRY

Action, wkę IT.

Mr

Qua hai

No 10

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112

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Hong Kong issues difensive braking

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The Chinese have renewed their request to know whether it would be convenient for their Foreign Minister, Mr Huang Hua, to visit Britain for about three days between 10 and 15 October on his way back to China from the UNGA. Meanwhile, No 10 have written to say that the Prime Minister has read with interest Dr Owen's minute of 30 August to him on Sino-British relations. This minute included a sentence which read "I have invited the Chinese Foreign Minister here and they have just proposed a three day visit during the period 10 15 October which I am inclined to accept.'

"1 The Prime Minister has not commented on this proposal.

BACKGROUND & ARGUMENT

2.

The invitation issued by the late Mr Crosland to the then Chinese Foreign Minister to visit the UK has been re-iterated to his successor in the name of Dr Owen. Earlier this Summer it proved impossible to fit in an appropriate visit on dates which the Chinese suggested at short notice. There have been plenty of Ministerial visits in both directions this year, but Mr Huang's visit is overdue and would set the seal on a particularly active and productive year in Anglo-Chinese relations. The Secretary of State's diary is free for the period in question and GHF have confirmed orally that Mr Huang could be the guest of the Government at that time.

3. The Chinese themselves have recognised the possibility that the dates they have suggested could coincide with a General Election in Britain. If there were to be a direct clash of dates they would understand the reason why a further postponement of the visit was necessary. If however, there were to be an election some days before the visit, it would seem likely that the Foreign Secretary of the day would be glad to renew the invitation.

/RECOMMENDATION

CONFIDENTIAL