TNAG-1032-FCO40-1282-Possible-visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-H-1981 — Page 37

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CONFIDENTIAL

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Sir E Youde

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Mr Bullard

Mr Donald

Mr du Boulay, PCD Planning Staff HKGD

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Mr Cult of

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

18 MAR 1981

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

of 18.3.

ملا

REGISTRY Action Taken

CHINA: POSSIBLE VISIT BY THE PRIME MINISTER

Avint & H.K.

9 age,

ada

1. Marice

6/3

See (2

1. During his visit to Peking the Chinese will expect the Secretary of State to say something about when the Prime Minister might take up the invitation to visit China issued by Hua Guofeng during his visit to this country in the autumn of 1979. Lord Carrington will need a line to take.

A

2.

B

Mr Lyne wrote to Mr Alexander on this subject on 16 September 1980 (in preparation for Lord Carrington's visit, then planned for October). The Prime Minister subsequently told the Chinese Foreign Minister that she was anxious to take up the invitation but that Lord Carrington would of course be visiting China first.

3.

With Lord Carrington's visit taking place next month we have no strong reason to ask the Prime Minister to consider going to China later this year. In any case it would not now be practicable for a visit there to be included in her programme for 1981. Sir P Cradock will however press very strongly for a visit in 1982. Depending on developments in the meantime, a visit then could serve to advance important British interests, particularly over Hong Kong. We must also continue to bear in mind that no British Prime Minister has ever visited China, while the Heads of Government of our major European partners (except Italy) have all done so.

4.

If Lord Carrington were to tell the Chinese that the Prime Minister hoped to visit China in 1982 that would mark an advance on anything which has been said previously. I see no need for him to be more specific than that at this stage; indeed, it might be best not to do so given current uncertainties in China.

5. I submit a draft Private Secretary letter to Number 10 Downing Street on lines we discussed.

5 March 1981

CONFIDENTIAL

Ruangwer

R JT McLaren

Far Eastern Department