TNAG-1872-FCO40-2660-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1989 — Page 94

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visit China in 1991. It could be argued, given Zhao

Ziyang's 1985 visit to this country, that it is China's turn

to act as host.

Foreign Ministerial Visits

13. Sir A Donald has suggested that in the meantime we

should invite Foreign Minister Qian Qichen to the UK.

In this case, too, it is strictly speaking the Secretary of

State's turn to visit China. There is an outstanding

invitation to the Secretary of State dating from the visit

to the UK of the then Chinese Foreign Minister, Wu Xueqian,

in 1988. While there may be other opportunities for

bilateral contact between the Secretary of State and his

Chinese opposite number, eg in the margins of the General

Assembly, this is not a substitute for formal talks. The

Secretary of State will probably visit Japan in early 1990

for the next round of bilateral caiks with his Japanese

opposite number. This could provide a good opportunity for

the Secretary of State also to visit Peking. A visit to

China at that time would enable the Secretary of State to

assess at first hand the balance of forces within the

Chinese leadership as Deng's influence wanes.

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A NR Millington

Far Eastern Department K 275 270 2951

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