CODE 18-77
NOTE FOR THE FILE
CC :
HMA
H of C
FED
MR WOOD.
a j
RN Peine Esa,
DPA, HongKong
Entere på.
CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER
1.
60/7
Heli 02611.
ARE CIVED INT
11 JAN 1988
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Reseach
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310
1-12 17/ ла
We had heard from London that the Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy had told Mr Galsworthy that it was possible that Wu Xueqian might move on from his post at the NPC in March next year.
2.
Mr Ashton was told by Chen Weiming (of West European Department and formerly Counsellor in London) that it was likely that Wu Xuegian would take over Ji Pengfei's position and that Qian Qichen would replace Wu as Foreign Minister. The problem over these arrangements appeared to be Ji Pengfei who Chen hinted was reluctant to step down. Ji Pengfei himself gave the Governor of Hong Kong the very strong impression that he would stay on in his job past March next year.
3.
The position is not entirely clear yet. What can be said is that whether or not Wu Xueqian stays as Foreign Minister he will remain a very important figure in China's foreign policy making and that he will remain Foreign Minister at least until the NPC in March.
9 December 1987
Rod Wye
CONFIDENTIAL
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