TNAG-0858-FCO40-1068-Proposed-UK-China-bilateral-shipping-agreement-1979 — Page 117

CODE 18-77

Mr Fursland

Mr Masefield

UNCLASSIFIED

Reference

Mr with HKK. 175/

RECEIVED

51

8 MAR 1979

DASK O

INDEX

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SHIPPING: AGREEMENT AND EXCHANGE OF LETTERS

1.

Mr Brown of Shipping Policy Division telephoned to ask how things had gone during Mr Varley's visit. I told him about Peking telegram 277. DOT are, as ever, keen to get on. I said that we would obviously need to give the Chinese time to consider their position on the cargo carrying issue but despite the fact that the matter had been deferred there was no reason to think that an exchange under the ECA would not be acceptable.

2.

Mr Brown again asked about a definitive reply to Mr Pryor's August letter so that we could all get our thoughts in order in advance of the Embassy speaking to the Chinese as indicated in the telegram. I said that I thought that we should wait to debrief Mr Priston on what had happened and what briefing or other help the Embassy might need before they met the Chinese. Once that was known it would be clearer what action we would need to take. If briefing and a paper for Whitehall use on the options open to us were required I suggested that it would be appropriate for Mr Pryor to write to Mr Samuel with reference to his February letter. mentioned to Mr Brown that MAED might take over the lead on this but that was something we would sort out here.

I

6 March 1979

cc: Mr Wyatt, MAED

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Mr Williamson, HKD J 6.3.

UNCLASSIFIED

в водите

CC Hayward