TNAG-1639-FCO40-2284-Future-of-Hong-Kong-withdrawal-of-the-British-garrison-1987 — Page 8

A The National Archives

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13. 1987

CONFIDENTIAL

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Jon Takend

ECRETARY

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1st October 1987

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CALL ON THE DEFENCE SECRETARY BY THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR

!

The new Chinese Ambassador, Mr Ji Chaozhu, paid a courtesy

His call on the Secretary of State at 1000 on 29th September. Military Attache was also present.

2. The Secretary of State said that he was happy with the way that our relations with China were going, including discussions over Hong Kong. The Ambassador agreed; what he found most important was that both sides now trusted each other, and were clearly committed to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability well into the future. The Ambassador said that he was also pleased with progress in China itself. At the forthcoming Party Conference in Beijing, the leadership would reaffirm the policy of reform and of open doors. They would wish to speed up land and political reforms, all of which he found very encouraging

•

3. Before coming here, he had been briefed that relations with Britain were the best they had ever been. Trade with Britain was building up, and would be given a boost by Lord Young's forthcoming visit. There were good exchanges in the military field too; but he would welcome any ideas the Defence Secretary had for improving these further, to make co-operation more specific.

China needed the help of her friends to progress, and hoped for a policy of maximum openness to match her own efforts. He would particularly welcome any help Mr Younger could give in COCOM over in-flight refuelling equipment.

4. The Secretary of State said that he would look into this specific case, and see whether anything could be done. (I should be grateful if DESS would arrange for this to be followed up). far as improving relations was concerned, he believed that the MOU he signed with Mr Zhang Aiping a year ago was a good basis.

As

What

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SECRETARY OF STATE

would be helpful now was the development of closer links with defence attachés locally. They acted as Ministers' eyes and ears on the ground; and provided a good back-up for the higher-level contacts. The Ambassador agreed that attachés were the right avenue for day-to-day contact; he would pass this thought on to Beijing.

5.

The Ambassador reiterated the invitation to the Secretary of State to visit China. Mr Younger replied that he very much hoped to have an opportunity to do so, when his diary allowed. The Ambassador said he would be happy to receive any suggested dates that were put to him.

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