TNAG-1837-FCO40-2612-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 30

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030465 MDLIAN 1963

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FM PEKING

TO PRIORITY FCO

TELNO 104

OF 270102Z JANUARY 89

INFO ROUTINE HONG KONG

HKB 01113

PARSIN

27%

YOUR TELNO 192 TO HONG KONG.

HOUSE OF COMMONS FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ENQUIRY INTO HONG KONG.

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IN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTIONS IN PARA 2 OF TUR:

(A) WE HAVE PROVISIONALLY BOOKED ROOMS FOR THE PARTY AT THE JIANGUO HOTEL (A MODERN, SWISS-RUN, JOINT VENTURE HOTEL OF HIGH STANDARD, CONVENIENTLY LOCATED CLOSE TO THE EMBASSY AND THE CENTRE OF PEKING AND USED REGULARLY BY THE EMBASSY AND OFFICIAL VISITORS). THE ROOM RATE IS US DOLLARS 92 PLUS TEN PER CENT TAX PER PERSON PER NIGHT.

(B) THE HOTEL CAN ARRANGE A 14-SEATER COASTER BUS TO MEET THE PARTY ON ARRIVAL, TAKE THEM TO AND FROM THEIR APPOINTMENTS AND BACK TO THE AIRPORT ON DEPARTURE. THE APPROXIMATE DAILY RATE IS YUAN 165 (ABOUT 28 POUNDS STERLING).

(C) IT IS POSSIBLE TO HIRE INTERPRETERS FROM THE PEKING INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTRE, AT A RATE OF US DOLLARS 40 PER WORKING DAY. HOWEVER, GIVEN THEIR COMMERCIAL BACKGROUND, WE HAVE DOUBTS AS TO THEIR COMPETENCE IN HANDLING INTERPRETATION FOR A DELEGATION OF THIS NATURE. IN PRACTICE WE THINK IT LIKELY THAT WHICHEVER CHINESE ORGANISATION ACTS AS HOST TO THE DELEGATION WOULD PROVIDE INTERPRETERS ANYWAY (SEE PARA 2, BELOW).

(D) MOST HOTELS (INCLUDING THE JIANGUO) AND MAJOR RESTAURANTS IN PEKING ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS (AMERICAN EXPRESS AND VISA BEING THE MOST WIDELY ACCEPTED). WE SUGGEST THAT THE DELEGATION PAY FOR THEIR HOTEL, MEALS AND TRANSPORT BY THIS METHOD. WE WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THEY ALSO BRING EITHER US DOLLAR OR STERLING TRAVELLERS CHEQUES (WHICH CAN BE CASHED AT THE HOTEL) TO COVER OTHER EXPENSES (E.G. SHOPPING, SIGHTSEEING, AIRPORT TAX). LOCAL CURRENCY CAN BE CHANGED ON DEPARTURE INTO STERLING.

(E) THE EMBASSY CONTACT WILL BE SHAUN RIORDAN, SECOND SECRETARY (CHANCERY), WHO IS A CHINESE SPEAKER.

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