TNAG-1159-FCO40-1439-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--1982 — Page 26

DRAFT LINE FOR NEWS DEPARTMENT

ON PM'S VISIT TO FAR EAST

DSR 11C

1. This is Mrs Thatcher's first visit to China as Prime

Minister; this will also be the first visit by any British

Prime Minister in office to the People's Republic of China.

Mrs Thatcher visited China, Japan and Hong Kong in 1977 as

Leader of the Opposition, and Tokyo in 1979 for the Economic

Summit.

I

2.

In Tokyo and Peking she will hold discussions on inter-

national political developments, with particular reference

to Asian questions and for example to relations with the

Soviet Union. She will also discuss bilateral questions

of immediate interest including trade relations and

opportunities for British business. In Japan there will be

a particularly strong economic content to her discussions,

covering such areas as industrial and technological

collaboration.

3.

Questions relating to Hong Kong will naturally figure

on the agenda in Peking, and Hong Kong's future is expected

to. be among those subjects discussed, following up previous

contacts with Chinese leaders.

/4.