TNAG-1632-FCO40-2248-Ministerial-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong--including-visit-1987 — Page 273

2.

IN DEFENS

I C Orr Esq

SCOTTISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Far Eastern Department King Charles Street LONDON

New St Andrew's House Edinburgh EH1 3SY

Telephone 03-556 8400 ext

Mr Meu

Mo Rute-Corne

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own signature.

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This seems to be & merch more une to Querydary then to Scotland-bow if the Scottin Educdie Dept. want to send

19 June 1987

Minister, hedd, home in Deer wide interns to suffert,

Dear Jan

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deepents & brooding becharges. 11

Ofree,

M Frelen Cove monterat vyply VISITS TO GUANGDONG PROVINCE, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

20vi

accondary ly

Cantului

As you know, links have been established between Guangdong Province in the People's Republic of China and Scotland through the auspices of the British Council but at the instigation of the Chinese authorities who have a particular interest in the Scottish system of vocational education and training.

During the last two years there has been a series of exchange visits between the two countries and I enclose a copy of the report of a visit to the Province by a delegation last December. As you will see from section 3 of the Report, the Guangdong Education Bureau is anxious that the exchanges continue and various proposals involving exchange visits of teaching staff are currently being explored. From our point of view,

to date achievements

are modest but nevertheless a deal of goodwill towards Scotland has been created which would be a good basis for future educational or industrial links.

One point not touched upon in the Report is the possibility of a Scottish We have not Office Minister visiting Guangdong in an official capacity. pressed for such a visit to take place and clearly, if one were proposed, it would have to be arranged through the FCO, dealing with the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The point may be raised, however, at some time in the future as to whether a short Ministerial visit to Guangdong would help to cement the exchanges at a political level. Any advice you can offer me on the policy on Ministerial visits to the People's Republic would, therefore, be welcome.

your sincerely

Анё тари

BR MORGAN

1

CJH01109.067