TNAG-1143-FCO40-1423-Hong-Kong-and-the-Falkland-Islands-crisis-1982 — Page 37

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RECORD OF HMA'S CALL ON VICE FOREIGN MINISTER ZHANG WENJIN

22 JUNE 1982 - 4 P.M.

1.

The Ambassador explained that he had asked to call on the Vice Minister for a tour d'horizon of Sino-British relations before his own departure on leave on 24 June. Should the need arise during his absence, he hoped that the Vice Minister would agree to see the Charge, Mr Atkinson.

2.

The Ambassador said he had been instructed to inform the Chinese Government of the birh of a son to the Princess of Wales the previous evening. Zhang offered congratulations.

3.

Zhang agreed with the Ambassador's assessment that Sino-British relations were good, and that they would be built up further by Mrs Thatcher's forthcoming visit. The Embassy was in touch with the Ministry about the Prime Minister's programme in China. In answer to a question, Zhang Wenjin said that he would be abroad during August, but would return to Peking by September.

4.

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Sir Percy Cradock said he had been encouraged by the news delivered to his Commercial Counsellor, Mr Clark, last weekend by Vice Governor Ye Xuanping of Guangdong, that a decision in principle has now been taken to proceed with negotiations for a nuclear power plant. The Ambassador mentioned several other items of major commercial business under discussion between Britain and China, and said it would be good if some of those discussions could be successfully concluded by the time of Mrs Thatcher's visit. Agreeing,

the Vice Minister said he was not familiar with the details of all the items the Ambassador had mentioned, but he was grateful for the Ambassador's summary of them.

5.

The Ambassador mentioned that a reply was still outstanding to the demarche the Embassy had made (in November 1981) proposing a reduction in the number of Chinese citizens proceeding to Hong Kong for permanent settlement. The Vice Minister took note.

6.

The ensuing discussion on Hong Kong and on air services is summarised in Peking telegrams Nos 353

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