TNAG-1338-FCO40-1770-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Beijing-fo-1984 — Page 270

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TAKE A DECISION.

(C)

5.

IN THE MEANTIME WE SHOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER ON THE

CHINESE SIDE THERE ARE ANY CONSIDERATIONS OF TIMING WHICH WE SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.

FOR YOUR OWN INFORMATION, THE PRIME MINISTER HAS NOT YET CONSIDERED IN WHICH ORDER THE VISITS TO PEKING AND HONG KONG SHOULD BE MADE. WE SHALL BE RECOMMENDING, FOR SELF-EVIDENT REASONS, THAT THE VISIT TO PEKING SHOULD COME FIRST.

6. HONG KONG WILL NO DOUBT WISH TO INFORM EXCO OF THE PRIME

MINISTERS DECISION OF PRINCIPLE AT THE FIRST CONVENIENT OPPORTUNITY.

WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF THEY WOULD STRESS THAT WE WISH THE DECISION

TO REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL FOR THE TIME BEING.

HOWE

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

LIMITED

COPIES TO:-

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

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 TREASURY

$

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