TNAG-1156-FCO40-1436-Visits-by-FCO-Ministers-to-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 166

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side to suggest dates for the forthcoming review of UK/PRC

air service arrangements which was due to be held in Peking in

the spring. Sir P Cradock said that the sooner we had a date

the better and that it would be helpful if Mr Zhang could speak

to CAAC. Mr Zhang agreed to do so.

18.

Mr Atkins said that we were still in the process of

registering British claims against China, which we hoped to be ready to discuss later in 1982. Mr Zhang replied that the

Chinese were also making preparations. There were also Chinese

claims against Britain.

19.

Mr Atkins reaffirmed invitations to Vice Premiers Fang

Yi and Gu Mu, Defence Minister Geng Biao and Minister of

Culture Huang Zhen to visit Britain. He understood that the

Minister of Health, Qian Xinzhong, was taking up the invitation

extended to him by his British counterpart in 1980. Mr Atkins

also extended an invitation to Mr Zhang Canming. Mr Zhang

expressed thanks on behalf of himself and his colleagues, saying

that the departments would make due preparations for the

visits.

20.

After closing courtesies during which Mr Atkins

asked that Mr Zhang should not hesitate if he wished to send

a message to him to bring a matter to his personal attention,

the meeting ended at 10.45 am.

Copied to:

PS

PS/LPS

PS/PUS

Sir E Youde

Sir A Acland

Mr Donald

Mr Elliott, FED

Mr Clift, HKGD

HMA, Peking

Chancery, Peking (2)

Governor, Hong Kong

Political Adviser, Hong Kong

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