We certainly agree that visits to China by Parliamentary groups can play a valuable part in promoting mutual understanding and good relations. I am sorry to say however that there seem to be no FCO funds available from which we could properly support a visit of the kind you propose. We do on occasions sponsor inward visits by influential Chinese, and our Ambassador in Peking is currently drawing up proposals for the 1983/4 Financial Year. I would be happy to consider any proposals you might wish to make in this area. But it would be difficult to argue that we should make a special case of China and sponsor an outward visit when we cannot even afford to do this for other countries which, for example, Ministers are only rarely able to visit. In any case our resources for the coming financial year are going to be very strained to meet even existing commitments.
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I am sorry to send this disappointing reply on the visits question but I hope it will prove possible for you to raise the necessary funds from some other source. If so we naturally stand ready to assist in any way we can over such matters as liaison and briefing.
Yours sincerely,
H
(BELSTEAD)
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