TNAG-0932-FCO40-1151-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1980 — Page 40

HICKC czoll

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

15 AUG 1980 13 JUNI 1980

CHINA HONG KONG WORKING GROV

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

REGISTRY

Action Taken

Present

мо

Mr Dick (Chairman) CRE4

Mr Priston CRE4

Mr Allen

CREA

Mr Gingell CRE4

Mr Davies

CRE4

Mr Field

ECGD

Mr Milton

ED

Mr Robinson IA

Mr Smith

MOD

PA

8988

Enter (31

Mr Clift Mr McLaren Mr Palfrey

IIKGD. FCO

FER. FCO (Part) Bank of England

Mr Benjamin 110 (Part) Mr Thompson IIC (Part) Mr Regan

DES (Part)

31

M

MINUTES OF WORKING GROUP MEETING OF 13 APRIL

1 Mr Dick noted that the record of the previous meeting had been accerted without comment by all participants but that Mr Mound had raised some questions. The meeting discussed Mr Mound's letter of 2 June referring to particular paragraying in the note.

2 Para 2: "Development of a new air to air missile with Rolls Royce". This should be amended to "British Aerospace".

3 Para 20: differences between Chinese and Western concepts of right and wrong. Mr Mound asked for particular examples. The meeting recalled that this statement was to result of a general feeling among those present who were experienced in dealing with China and was therefore the result of collective wisdom rather than specific occurrences.

Para 24: the German effort on small exhibitions. The meeting agreed that this comment would be followed up with Fairs and Promotions Branch.

5

Para 24: Mr Mound asked for examples of the especially good opportunities in Guangdong quoted in the meeting note. Mr Benjamin noted that Mr Mound would have received Mr Thompson's letter of 4 June setting out details of our opportunities in Guangdong.

6

Para 38: Mr Mound asked for a breakdown of the DOT's financial commitment to the China market. Mr Dick..noted that this could be provided and is attached to this meeting note.

7 Para 47: Mr Mound had asked for examples of Ministeral/Commercial missions opening doors to previously untouched markets. The meeting agreed that the Ministerial missions. that took place soon after China's change of leadership and economic direction had been useful in commercial terms both in identifying contacts and as a political statement of the UK's keenness to do business with Chine.

8

However the meeting went on to agree that the commercial effects of Ministeral visits would in future be mich less pronounced and that it was now up to individual businessmen to make their mark,

CONSULATE IN CHINA

9

Mr McLaren noted that the Ambassador has suggested that the time was now right for the UK to open Consultes in Shanghai and Canton, underpinned by a