TNAG-1338-FCO40-1770-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Beijing-fo-1984 — Page 239

CONFIDENTIAL

PROJECT DURING THE VISIT WOULD CREATE PRECISELY THE KIND OF SUSPICIONS WE SHOULD BE SEEKING TO AVOID (PARA 2 ABOVE). MOREOVER, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO APPROVE THE CONTRACTS COVERING THE FORMATION OF THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY AND THE SALE OF ELEC- TRICITY TO HONG KONG BEFORE THEY ARE SIGNED. THEY WILL WISH TO HAVE TIME TO EXAMINE ALL THE IMPLICATIONS CAREFULLY AND WILL RESENT BEING ASKED TO DO SO AGAINST ANY DEADLINE. THE ISSUES INVOLVED FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES IN HONG KONG GO WIDER THAN THE DAYA BAY PLANT.

4. FOR ALL THESE REASONS I WOULD RECOMMEND AGAINST MAKING GUANGDONG NUCLEAR PROJECT A MAJOR FEATURE OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT EVEN IF THE VARIOUS NEGOTIATIONS RELATING TO IT COULD BE COMPLETED IN TIME, WHICH I AM ADVISED IS VERY UNLIKELY. HAVING SAID THAT, 1 ENTIRELY ACCEPT THAT THE PRIME MINISTER WILL WANT TO USE THE OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY HER DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINESE LEADERS TO CARRY THE NEGOTIATIONS FORWARD.

YOUDE

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

LIMITED

HD/HKD

HD/FED

HD/PLANNING STAFF HD/PUSD

DEP HD/PUSD

RESEARCH D (MR WALKER)

PS

PS/LADY YOUNG PS/MR LUCE PS/PUS

MR DEREK THOMAS

SIR W HARDING MR GOODALL MR WILSON

SIR J FREELAND

COPIES TO:-

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL PS/HOME SECRETARY

PS/CHANCELLOR OF TH EXCHEQUER

PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL

PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY

COPIES TO:- (VIA ADR)

MR ROBERTS NEWS D

MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS

MR BURROWS LEGAL ADVISERS

MR POWELL NO 10 DOWNING ST.

MR INGHAM NO 10 DOWNING ST.

MR MARTIN ASST STAFF CABINET OFFICE MR CARTLEDGE CABINET OFFICE

MR COLVIN CABINET OFFICE PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE

PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL

SIR P CRADOCK ROOM K195

SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING ST. MR KELLY

CONFIDENTIAL

TREASURY