TNAG-0743-FCO40-947-Relations-between-China-and-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 123

JT Masefield Esq

FED

FCO

CONFIDENTIAL

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#78

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1. Mr Thomps

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2 p.a.

BRITISH EMBASSY

LISBON

25 October 1978

180

INDEX

No las

18141

Dear Thorold,

PORTUGAL: CHINA

1.

The political crisis following the dismissal of the Second. Constitutional Government continues to hold up resumption of the discussions suspended in July on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Portugal and China (paragraph 4 of my letter of 17 October). The Chinese have however had a presence in Lisbon since March 1978 when the New Chinese News Agency established an office.

2.

Yesterday the Director of the Lisbon officer, Shin Ting Yi signed an agreement on behalf of the New Chinese Agency with the Portuguese State-run agency ANOP. Under the agreement the two agencies agree to exchange news and photographs and also to offer assistance to visiting correspondents of each other's countries. During the speeches which followed the signature both sides emphasised the importance of the two news agencies in the process of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Portugal and China.

сс

IC Orr Esq HONG KONG

WE Quantrill Esq HK&GD

KR Garside Esq PEKING

Yours ever.

Roger

R Westbrook.

CONFIDENTIAL