1
CONFIDENTIAL
264
C44
209
PA
Повира
M. Hum
HICK 027/2
RELL
Dr Wilson
12 APR 1984
Private Secretary
KEB
FROM:
DATE:
CC:
Mark Elliott
Far Eastern Department
10 April 1984
PS/Mr Luce
Sir P Cradock
News Dept
Mr Clift, HKD
SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO CHINA:
1.
SPEECH
Our Embassy in Peking have recommended that substantive speaking during the Secretary of State's visit to China be restricted to the welcoming banquet on 16 April. I submit a draft speech. This has been cleared with Planning Staff and other Departments as appropriate; we are seeking views, if any, from Peking and Hong Kong. I am nevertheless submitting now to save time; I would not anticipate any demand for major changes.
2. The most important passage is that on Hong Kong. It will be important to show that this has the highest priority in the Secretary of State's talks with Chinese leaders. But all reference to it must be anodyne. The Chinese will probably ask to see the speech in advance. When the Prime Minister visited China in 1982, they took last minute exception to the proposed Hong Kong passage in her welcoming banquet speech.
3. The rest of the subject matter is also uncontentious, and is devoted largely to bilateral questions and to references to the common ground between Britain and China on international issues.
4. The Embassy in Peking have asked for a final text if possible by 12 April so as to prepare a translation for distribution at the banquet.
Markɣhicht
Mark Elliott
10 April 1984
Far Eastern Department
CONFIDENTIAL
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