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4. WE CAN COSIDER THIS QUESTION FURTHER AFTER THE DISCUSSIONS ON THE MAIN ISSUES (PARA 2 ABOVE). AT A MINIMUM THERE SEEMS TO BE AGREEMENT THAT THE CHINESE SHOULD BE TOLD OF OUR OBJECTIVES IN THE PM'S TALKS. IT MAY ALSO BE POSSIBLE TO TELL THEM THAT WE HAVE HEARD SOMETHING OF CHINA'S IDEAS THROUGH MR HEATH AND OTHERS: IF WE HAVE UNDERSTOOD THEM RIGHT THESE IDEAS WILL BE INSUFFICIENT TO MEET THE COMMON OBJECTIVE: BUT MRS THATCHER WILL BE READY TO EXPLAIN THINGS FURTHER, AND ALSO DISCUSS THE CHINESE POSITION DURING HER VISIT IN SEPTEMBER.
5. WE MIGHT AT THE SAME TIME URGE ON THE CHINESE THAT BOTH SIDES SHOULD REFRAIN FROM REACHING CONCLUSIONS AND FROM COMMENTING ON THE ISSUES PUBLICLY BEFORE THE DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE P M AND CHINESE LEADERS HAVE TAKEN PLACE. WE DO NOT WANT A REPETITION OF THE RUN-UP TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT IN MARCH LAST YEAR WHEN BOTH THE ASSISTANT CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER AND DENG XIAOPING SET OUT THE CHINESE POSITION TO THE PRESS BEFORE THE DISCUSSIONS IN PEKING HAD EVEN STARTED. FOR THAT TO HAPPEN ON THIS OCCASION COULD WELL BE A DISASTER.
6. I HAVE HAD A USEFUL DISCUSSION ON THESE QUESTIONS WITH PERCY CRADOCK WHO WILL BE GIVING YOU HIS VIEWS DIRECT ON HIS ARRIVAL IN LONDON.
YOUDE
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FS/LORD BELSTEAD
PS/PUS
MR GIFFARD
MR DONALD
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MR BURROWS
SIR I SINCLAIR )
LEGAL ADVISERS
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