TNAG-0743-FCO40-947-Relations-between-China-and-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 233

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DSR LIC

5. I have already talked about the intensified exchanges of the past year. We see your visit as marking a further stage in the intimacy of our contacts. We look forward to the visit here of Vice Premier Wang Chen and in due course of Premier Hua himself. The dicussions we are having with you about a Science and Technology Agreement, and the greatly increased pace of educational, cultural, and other contacts demonstrate the value we attach to closening ties, not only at the Governmental and Parliamentary level but also between individuals and professional people in all walks of life. These are the natural result of the surge of interest in China which you will encounter here. The same is true at the industrial level: I am delighted that the past few weeks have seen the conclusion of contracts worth over £150 million, some in the traditional area of mining machinery and some in the new areas such as petrochemical plant.

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6.

It is very clear to me Mr Minister that, although our respective historical traditions and our political systems are very different, there is much common ground between us and important areas where we can co-operate to the benefit of both sides. It goes without saying that Chinese and British perceptions derive from a different philosophical view of the world, but we are both committed to the maintenance of world peace and to overcomi the inequalities and poverty which can create divisions and international tension. In the past there have been failures of communication, no doubt through geographical separation and dissimilar perceptions of world problems. As our friendship grows so will our interest in each other' country and the whole range of problems, including the internal ones which each has to tackle. Frankness is an attribute of friendship and I am confident that such frankness will characterise our relationship. have differences we can discuss them as friends and that when, as I hope will always be the case, we, share

If we

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