TNAG-1471-FCO40-2001-Ministerial-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 104

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KGROUND

1.

When Mr Renton took over from Mr luce as FCO Minister of State, he made clear that he intended as soon as circumstances permitted to undertake the visit to China and Thailand that Mr Luce

had planned to make.

CHINA

2.

The visit to China (from 18-23 January) will be the first by an FCO Minister since the ratification of the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong, and will underline the importance both countries attach to our rapidly developing relations. There is an active programme of Ministerial and other high level exchanges. Queen will pay a State Visit to China from 12-18 October. Zhao Ziyang visited Britain from 2-8 June 1985. Most recently Lord Young had a high level trade mission to China from 12-17 December 1985.

HM The

Premier

3. Mr Renton will spend three days in Peking where he will hold talks with Vice Foreign Minister Zhou Nan. These are expected to cover a range of bilateral and international issues of mutual interest, including economic and commercial relations (following the recent agreement on the terms of the Gnargdong(?) Nuclear Project) and Hong Kong. Mr Renton will also visit Shanghai, Canton

and Shenzhen.

4.

Trade Figures (Jan-Nov 1985)

£ M

UK exports to China

UK imports from China

367

283

5. On leaving China, Mr Renton will make a brief stopover in Hong Kong, from 23-24 January, to enable him to brief the Governor, Exco members and senior Hong Kong officials on Hong Kong issues

discussed in Peking.

THAILAND

6.

Mr Renton will be visiting Thailand from 24-27 January. His visit will include talks with the Thai Foreign Minister, Air Chief Marshal Siddhi Savetsila, and a visit to the Thai/Cambodian border.

12.