TNAG-0840-FCO40-1049-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1979 — Page 79

I

CONFIDENTIAL

party w the best possible impression of British interest in China, and of Britain's political life and industrial and

commercial capacity.

considers

4.

Premier Hua will be the guest of the President in France,

and we understand that the West Germans will also give a

reception appropriate to a Head of State. The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary regards it as essential that Hua's reception in this country should not appear to the Chinese or to anyone else to compare unfavourably with his reception in the FRG and France, and that the Prime Minister's personal involvement in the visit will be of central importance.

Lord Carrington regards it as particularly important that:

Mrs Thatcher should offer Premier Hua the two sessions of

talks which he will expect (probably one to cover international affairs, and the other bilateral issues); and that as well as hosting a welcoming dinner and attending the Chinese return dinner, she should meet him and, if possible, see him off (at Kensington Palace Gardens if this can be arranged); (it is Premier Hua's normal practice to go in person to greet visiting Prime Ministers at the airport on arrival). It would also create a particularly favourable impression if the Prime Minister were prepared to host a reception for Premier Hua at Lancaster House, provisionally scheduled for the evening of Hua's arrival.

5.

I am copying this letter to the Private Secretaries to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretaries of State for Defence, Trade, Industry, Education and Science, Energy, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and to the Lord President

of the Council and Sir J Hunt.

CONFIDENTIAL