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iv) Peking. Mr Maude would like a background note on the structure and organisation of the Chinese Government, covering in particular the responsibilities of those departments involved in his visit. I should be grateful
to have this for the weekend box.
Y) Accommodation. Mr Maude would be grateful for advice on whether he should stay at the Residence.
vi) Programme. Mr Maude was broadly content with the suggested list of subjects he might cover in Peking, but felt that he should cover Hong Kong issues on the first day.
He would be grateful for advice on a list of areas in which we might have something to offer the Chinese, including the question of concessional finance. You plan to submit on this to Mr Maude and Mrs Chalker, after Dublin and before Houston. Other "carrots" might include a renewal of our cultural exchange programme, and a visit by the Secretary of State in November. Mr Maude would like to see a range of ideas for meeting dissidents and discussing human rights, covering all the possibilities. In their contacts with the MFA about the programme, the Embassy should not put forward our own ideas at this stage (except to request a meeting with Li Peng, see iii) above) but find out what the Chinese have in mind.
vii) Objectives. Mr Maude asked for a note setting out our goals for the visit, covering both the substantive gains we are after and those needed presentationally for a successful visit. The bill of rights and the nationality bill would fall into the first category. A good statement on PADS from the Chinese would perhaps be the best subject for the second category; Mr Maude would be grateful to see an outline of the elements such a statement would need to include. He will raise this with the Chinese Ambassador. A positive statement about the future work of the JLG and cooperation on VBP would also have presentational as well as substantive benefits. The note should also address Chinese objectives for the visit.
Nicola Brewer
Nicola Brewer
Private Secretary to Mr Francis Maude
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Private notes are available after approval.