TNAG-1160-FCO40-1440-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--1982 — Page 123

DSR 11C

CHINA DAILY SUPPLEMENT:

DRAFT MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTE

I am delighted to have this opportunity to send greetings

to the readers of the China Daily as I begin my visit to

China. My visit is the first by a British Prime Minister

in office to China. It is an appropriate symbol of the

steady growth in contacts between our two countries:

exchanges have been developing particularly rapidly in recent

years, We have expanded co-operation in academic,

scientific and educational work: never before have there

been so many student exchanges between Britain and China.

We have a useful commercial relationship on which we must

build. We have much to offer each other, and much to learn,

from our long artistic and literary traditions.

These links in turn reflect the very similar positions

that Britain and China have on many international issues.

We both see the dangers to the world from aggression and

ism,

expansion and I am confident that by working together we

can make an important contribution to world peace.

I have been told that I shall see many changes in China since

my previous visit here in 1977, when I was leader of the

British Opposition. I am particularly struck by the very

large increase in the number of Chinese, both young and old,

studying English. The study of foreign languages is very

important to international understanding, and we in Britain

are glad to be able to contribute to China's efforts in this

The advice and expertise which the Thomson Foundation

is glad to be able to give China Daily is a good example

field.

of this new close working relationship.

progress.

But this is only a beginning.

We have made great

Our

/friendship