Confidential
CONFIDENTIAL
FM PEKING
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 703
OF 020805Z MAY 86
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
FOR HK DEPARTMENT AND NEWS DEPARTMENT.
MEETING WITH CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER: 23 MAY.
1. NEWS OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S MEETING WITH WU WILL ALMOST
CERTAINLY SOON BEGIN TO CIRCULATE IN THE DIPLOMATIC COMMUNITY HERE
(WU HAD A MEETING EARLIER THIS WEEK WITH THE BELGIAN AMBASSADOR
ABOUT HIS VISIT TO BRUSSELS). A LEAK TO THE MEDIA COULD OCCUR
BEFORE LONG. WE THEREFORE NEED A DEFENSIVE LINE FOR USE WITH COLLEAGUES AND WITH THE PRESS.
2. I SUGGEST THAT, IN RESPONSE TO ENQUIRIES, WE MIGHT SAY THAT THE
SECRETARY OF STATE HAD BUSINESS IN BRUSSELS AT THE TIME WHEN THE
CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WOULD BE IN THE CITY.
WU HAD INVITED HIM
THE SECRETARY OF
TO HAVE LUNCH WITH HIM AT THE CHINESE EMBASSY.
STATE HAD GLADLY ACCEPTED THIS INVITATION. WE SHOULD REFUSE TO BE
DRAWN FURTHER.
3. GRATEFUL FOR YOUR EARLY VIEWS AND FOR NEWS ABOUT YOUR PLANS IN
RELATION TO AN ANNOUNCEMENT AND/OR A PRESS LINE IN LONDON.
EVANS
MINIMAL
HKO
NEWS O
HKR OW/! RECEIVED IN 2 BISTRY
12 MAY 1986
PA
AB 245
Confidential
231
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