TNAG-1464-FCO40-1991-Visits-by-Chinese-officials-to-the-UK--including-visit-by-Hu-1986 — Page 57

CONFIDENTIAL

VISIT BY GENERAL SECRETARY HU YAOBANG: TALKS WITH THE PRIME

MINISTER, 9 JUNE 1986

OUR OBJECTIVES

(a) To re-assure the Chinese that

(i) Britain, as an influential member of the EC, NATO and the Commonwealth, is still an important power, whose views the Chinese

should listen to; and

(ii) British society and the British economy are vigorous, innovative and well-equipped to contribute technology and practical advice to China's modernisation.

(b) To convince Hu Yaobang (in charge of ideology) and Li Peng (Soviet trained) that the West is fully committed to the success of China's modernisation and opening to the world, with Britain making a large practical contribution.

(c) (i) To emphasise the need for continued joint efforts to maintain confidence in Hong Kong; and

(ii) to use the success of Sino-British cooperation in this area to establish equally close cooperation in commercial, scientific and

education fields.

(d) To enlist support for the early and satisfactory resolution of the outstanding bilateral problems of governmental claims and air services, and to build on the success exemplified by the student scholarship scheme to be signed during the visit by British and Chinese Ministers together with its originator, Sir Y K Pao.

CONFIDENT