TNAG-1465-FCO40-1992-Visits-by-Chinese-officials-to-the-UK--including-visit-by-Hu-1986 — Page 2

British Embassy

Counsellor (Economic)

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Friedrich-Ebert Allee 77, 5300 Bonn 1

Telex 0886 887 Telephone 234061

JT Masefield Esq, M

HKX 026/2

Far Eastern DepartmentCEIVED IN SESTR:

FCO

Dear Thorold,

16 DEC 1986

DESK OFFICER ..NDEX

PA

༢༽

Actiu Taken

Last

INVITATION TO CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER

12

Your reference

Our reference

~Lolli 02612

Mr Flatin

297

Costa

Date 4 December 198

(HKD)

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RA

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pare we already knew i

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12

1. The Ambassador had dinner on Tuesday with his Chinese colleague. On his instructions, we asked your Department for any points which it would be useful for him to raise, and I am grateful to Ian Orr for providing briefing so quickly.

2. We were asked to ensure that the Ambassador stressed the importance we attach to the Secretary of State's invitation to his Chinese colleague to visit the UK. I have already reported the outcome by telephone to your Department, but you may like this confirmation for the file. The Ambassador tells me it was clear that his Chinese colleague had briefed himself on this and other matters. He responded to a reference to the invitation by saying that his President would much like to visit the UK, but was receiving medical advice that this would be unwise. The Ambassador reverted to the invitation to the Chinese Foreign Minister, stressing how keen the Secretary of State was to welcome him in the UK. His Chinese colleague replied by saying that his Foreign Minister was visiting certain East European countries, the FRG and Italy in March 1987. He was doubtful whether it would be possible to attach the UK to this itinerary.

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الصلاة yous

Adwan

CC: Chancery, Peking

A C Thorpe

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