CONFIDENTIAL
MKB 006
1
RECEIVED IN HÉCISIK
11 JAN 1988
OFFICER PA
cc:
317
PS/Lord Glenarthur
Mr Gillmore
Mr McLaren
Mr Hum, HKD Protocol Dept
PRU News Dept PUSD
маник Mr Wor
Mr Dimond, FED
Dr INDEX
W/307.2
Visit by Foreign Minister Wu
The Secretary of State has seen your submission of 23 December. The dates of 8-13 March can be confirmed as acceptable to the Chinese.
On the programme, the Secretary of State would like us to discover Wu's wishes as soon as possible. His own view is that it would not make much sense to take him to Chevening for the weekend, since he will probably wish to
more of Britain than the depths of the Kent countryside. However he does think that it would be useful to hold at least a substantial proportion of the talks at Chevening. This would have to be done on 10-11 March. The Secretary of State could travel to Chevening after Cabinet, which would enable him to be there for an afternoon session. He could give dinner to Wu who could then overnight at Chevening.
The talks could continue on the Friday morning.
As to the weekend, the Secretary of State is thinking of accompanying Wu. His own natural inclination would be to take him to Wales if a sensible programme there could be worked out and Wu would like it. One possible visit would be to the Port Talbot steelworks: Port Talbot is the Secretary of State's home town. As you know, the Chinese attach considerable significance to such things. A visit to Wales could easily be linked with a visit to see a play in Stratford. Another possibility would be to visit the Welsh National Opera in Cardiff.
These should be regarded as tentative ideas. You will no doubt want to make some amendments to the draft telegram, which I return to you.
On a point of detail, the Secretary of State is likely to be abroad in Europe on 8 March. His timings are still uncertain, but it is quite possible that he will not be in the country when Wu arrives. This seems unlikely to matter.
The Secretary of State would like to know as possible if Wu will bring his wife on the visit.
дезав
soon as
30 December 1987
(A C Galsworthy)
CONFIDENTIAL
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