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with President Li Xiannian; the Secretary of State will have a short separate meeting with Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian. There will be a formal welcoming banquet in the evening.
TALKS WITH PREMIER ZHAO
6. These will probably last 2-3 hours, of which at least half
will be spent on interpretation. No formal agenda has been set; but we have told the Chinese that we expect to cover the subjects
at Annex C. Atmosphere will be at least as important as substance.
7. Premier Zhao will probably invite Mrs Thatcher to lead off.
The Prime Minister could note that as a result of our increasing
Ministerial and high level exchanges, each side is well acquainted
with the other's views on most international and bilateral issues.
She could suggest that, in view of the limited time available, the talks should begin with discussions of Hong Kong points, followed
by brief, concise exchanges on other specific issues in political
relations; discussions on prospects for trade and economic relations;
and finally brief exchanges on a few international topics.
11. On Hong Kong the Points to Make are relatively general ones.
The aim is to establish a climate of trust and goodwill in which the agreement can be put into effect. There is a strong negative aim, to avoid provoking any high level statement from Chinese
leaders inimical to our aims, which would then be set in concrete.
We have no detailed points to raise formally with Chinese leaders
at this stage about the implementation of the agreement. But Zhao is a practical man, and it would be helpful to explain to him in general terms our thinking about the basic law and the administration of Hong Kong up to 1997.
12. Turning to other bilateral issues, the Prime Minister could begin with a brief tour d'horizon of the growth of contacts in recent years, concluding that relations have never been more
substantive and that, following the Hong Kong agreement, the way is clear to pursue new opportunities, particularly in the economic field, with redoubled vigour (Brief 6a). She could then convey
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/acceptance
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