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(iii) Other Hong Kong Figures: It appears to be the
Chinese intention to invite a number of other prominent Hong Kong figures, no doubt including Hong Kong members of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. You will recall that Sir Y K Pao is hoping to be present.
If the Prime Minister sees no objection, we would aim in our discussions with the Chinese to arrive at arrangements for participation in the signature ceremony which would permit the attendance of Hong Kong officials and the unofficials on the basis set out above. We would agree that a group of Hong Kong people should be present as observers; insist that the group should be properly representative: and make it clear that we would expect to be consulted on the list of those to be invited. Our aim would be to ensure balanced repre- sentation and an appropriate status for the unofficials.
The Talks in Peking
The Chinese have asked what topics we would propose for the formal talks with Premier Zhao Ziyang. These talks will be relatively short, ans we think it would be sufficient at this stage to indicate the main subject areas which we would propose to cover, as follows:
(i) Hong Kong.
(ii)
Bilateral relations, including trade.
(iii) International affairs, including:
(a) East/West relations and arms control
(b)
Sino/Soviet relations
(c) South Asia
(d) Korea.
The talks with Deng are likely to cover Hong Kong as well as broad strategic international issues. We shall in due course submit to you more detailed proposals on the subjects to be covered in the talks, and on the briefing to be provided for the Prime Minister. Once the Prime Minister has been able to consider these, we could if necessary give the Chinese a more precise indication of the topics which we intend to raise nearer the time of the visit.
Timing and Content of the Announcement
The Chinese have asked abour our intentions for the announcement of the visit. They have proposed that an
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