TNAG-0841-FCO40-1050-Visit-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-Chi-1979 — Page 66

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(i.e. the Provincial Governor), several of his Vice Chairman and a galaxy of other officials appeared. Mr Yang Shangkun, who had just been appointed to the top post in the city of Guangzhou, asked at the last minute to be included. He is a Deng protege and his desire to be in on the occasion clearly demonstrated that no unfavourable message had been received about our visit. Quite apart from the context of discussion with senior leaders like Vice Premier Deng, it was important from the point of view of public opinion in Hong Kong that I should be seen to be received by the top people. We had left arrangements for this in the hands of the Chinese. They did not fail us.

7. We managed to time our return to travel on the first train'

through tra in' to run from Guangzhou to Hong Kong since the revolution an event to which the Chinese in particular attached some importance.

8.

In Guangdong, and to a lesser extent in Peking, we were briefed about Chinese development plans with particular emphasis on areas where they thought that co-operation with Hong Kong would be helpful. In most areas I had the impression that their plans are general and not always fully thought out. Nevertheless their briefings were more detailed and frank than I had expected. It was particularly encouraging that, in Guangdong, they talked in detail and constructively about plans to provide more water to meet Hong Kong's long-term needs. It was also encouraging that, at every level, there was a recognition of the role that could be played in China's modernisation by Hong Kong's capital and expertise. There was no sentimentality about this. Mr Deng Xiaoping explained frankly that they had a need for Hong Kong with its present form of economy. I found this realism more reassuring than bland protestations of friendship. my part I made it clear that Hong Kong businessmen could be relied on to invest in China providing there was profit in it for them. If there were problems which involved the Government we would do our best to help. I emphasised, however, that it would not help China if Hong Kong's economy was damaged, directly or indirectly. A prosperous Hong Kong bought Chinese goods to the tune of US$100 per family per month; a prosperous Hong Kong was therefore in China's interests as much as our own.

For

The Chinese also showed themselves to be aware of the need to ma inta in confidence in Hong Kong if the right sort of investment is to continue. Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping

9.

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