TNAG-1158-FCO40-1438-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--1982 — Page 114

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a British Prime Minister. The Pipes and Drums might perform

on the Residence lawn before or after the Prime Minister's

return banquet as well as perhaps giving one or more public performances. No doubt .a large team of newsmen will wish to accompany the Prime Minister in the Far East and

some colourful gimmickry could provide a useful distraction for them, particularly if the bulk of the Prime Minister's

* time is spent on private talks with Chinese leaders. - Public

funds would not be available to meet the costs but both the

Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank and Jardine Matheson have previously

shown an interest in paying for bands or pipers to visit

Peking. We think they might well be willing discreetly to

sponsor this visit.

4..

HM Ambassador Peking also thinks that a visit by

the Scots Guards Pipes and Drums would provide extra

prestige background to the Prime Minister's visit and that

the proposal is worth further investigation. He is content

for tentative approaches to be made in confidence in Hong

Kong to seek sponsorship. Hong Kong however have had some

reservations. They fear that a visit by what is technically

a unit of the Garrison in Hong Kong carries a (small) risk

of Chinese military units asking to make reciprocal visits

to Hong Kong. We asked them to reflect further on this

point, particularly because of the unique nature of the Prime

Minister's visit. They have now commented that if it is

our assessment that the presence of the group would make

a useful contribution to the success of the Prime Minister's

visit they would not wish to object. HM Ambassador Peking

has now confirmed that this is still his assessment although he points out that the feasibility of the project, especially

accommodation, has not yet been broached with the Chinese.

5.

I recommend that we should now confirm to Hong

Kong that we would like them to approach possible local

sponsors in support of the idea of a brief visit by the Scots Guards Pipes and Drums. I submit a draft telegram.

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