TNAG-1032-FCO40-1282-Possible-visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-H-1981 — Page 31

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Secretary of State

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TEL. NO:

Sir Yue-Kong Pao CBE LID JP

World-Wide Shipping Group 20/21st Floors

Prince's Building

Hong Kong

TYPE: Draft/Final 1+

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SUBJECT:

Many thanks for your letter of 23 October. I too was sorry to miss you in July.

I

I was interested to hear your idea about the launching of one of your ships. I know that you mentioned this to the Prime Minister on 17 July. understand that she said that she would 'bear the proposal in mind. The Prime Minister certainly hopes to visit China next year but we have yet to discuss dates or an itinerary with the Chinese government. We shall want

to take your idea into account when we have taken

discussions with the Chinese rather further.

I certainly see no objection at all to your

proposal for a reciprocal launch in this country. One

of the difficulties however will be in timing. At

present there are no plans for any very senior Chinese

leaders to visit the UK in 1982 when I gather Austin and

Pickersgill will be ready to launch.