TNAG-1465-FCO40-1992-Visits-by-Chinese-officials-to-the-UK--including-visit-by-Hu-1986 — Page 3

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16 DEC 1986

Mrs Jane Davies

Planning Staff

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Thorold Masefield Far Eastern Depart

19 November 1986

Dr Wilson

Mr Lever Defence Dept

Mr Hum HKD

Mr Pakenham ACDD

VISIT OF MEI ZHAORONG

1. Thank you for your minute of 18 November. We are delighted to have news that Mei Zhaorong's much mooted visit to London may at last be entering the planning phase. We are also glad that his visit may offer an opportunity for planning talks and for some discussion of Pol/Mil subjects (perhaps including disarmament matters, which have become more topical since May 1985).

2.

Mei Zhaorong's principal role in the Chinese MFA however is bilateral relations with European countries and we have quite a lot to discuss with him on the bil- ateral side, not least in preparation for the formal visit to London next year of the Chinese Foreign Minister. I have spoken to Dr Wilson who is leaving today for the Far East. He considers that it would be appropriate for him to be the overall host for Mei Zhaorong, who he already knows and saw in Peking during the State Visit. Naturally, however, he would wish to see all FCO interests given full rein so that we get maximum possible value from the visit both within the FCO and perhaps at Chatham House and/or the IISS.

I attach a redraft of the teleletter reflecting these views, as discussed with you.

3.

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'I Things Fell

Thorold Masefield

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