CONFIDENTIAL
Dinner at No 10
In addition to full ceremonial arrangements and a range of calls, much as for Prime Minister Zhao Ziyang last year, there will be a lunch at Buckingham Palace and a visit to Parliament under the auspices of the British-Chinese Parliamentary Group chaired by Mr Robert Adley. The main
of the programme, however, is two hours of talks with the Prime Minister on 9 June, followed by dinner at No 10. A guest list for the dinner has already been submitted. We hope soon to send you a draft speech. The Prime Minister has already agreed to go to the return banquet hosted by the Chinese on 11 June where rather shorter toasts will be proposed.
The Talks on 9 June
This is an unusual visit. So far as we can discover it is the first by a Communist leader who only holds a Party position. (Previous Soviet and East European visitors have held some government position in addition to their Party role. Hua Guofeng, who came here in 1979, was additionally Premier.) Hu Yaobang has made it clear that he is not concerned with the detail of trade and economic matters; but he is looking forward to discussing international relations. We wish to use this opportunity to demonstrate that Britain, as a member of the European Community and of the Commonwealth, as well as having a close rapport with the Americans, is still an important international power whose views the Chinese should listen to. On bilateral matters we wish to ensure that Mr Hu gives his backing' to efforts to increase trade and promote student and scientific exchanges. (On detailed follow-up Vice Premier Li Peng has a central role in China's energy policies and as Chairman of the State Education Commission is a key figure in the training of China's leaders for next century.) We shall also wish to emphasise to both men the need for continued cooperation over Hong Kong and to put substance into our bilateral relations across the board to reflect the recent marked improvement in relations which will be symbolised by the State Visit in October. It would be useful too to note the importance we attach to an early and satisfactory settlement of claims negotiations which have just been started. Further points might arise from the meeting between the Foreign Secretary and the Chinese Foreign Minister on 23 May. During Hu Yaobang's visit Mr Renton will have separate talks with Zhou Nan which can cover the range of bilateral issues.
We shall let you have the brieging for the talks, including assessments of our own and likely Chinese objectives for the visits. At dinner conversation is likely to range more widely. This will give an opportunity to talk about the problems of modernising a nation's industry and society, and the role of education, science and technology, regardless
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