TNAG-2234-FCO40-3207-FCO-sponsored-visits-from-Hong-Kong-to-the-UK-1991 — Page 80

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FM FCO

TO IMMEDIATE PEKING

TELNO 149

OF 22183OZ FEBRUARY 91

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pa HKB 027/3

074125 MDHOAN 8476

FROM DAVIES, FED

G

YOUR TELNO 166: SPONSORED VISITS PROGRAMME

ED

1. FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF TUR I TOLD THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR ABOUT THE INVITATIONS YOU HAD EXTENDED THROUGH THE OFFICES OF THE VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS CONCERNED. HE TOOK CAREFUL NOTE, WHILE COMMENTING THAT THE ABSENCE OF FORMAL INVITATIONS MIGHT HAVE CONFUSED THE RECIPIENTS. I EXPLAINED THAT WE HAD A LIMITED NUMBER OF SLOTS AND THAT IT WAS OUR PRACTICE TO MAKE PRELIMINARY ENQUIRIES FIRST AND ONLY ISSUE FORMAL INVITATIONS WHEN IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE INVITEE COULD ACCEPT.

2.

AMBASSADOR JI CONTACTED MCLAREN ON 22 FEBRUARY. HE SAID THAT HE HAD CONVEYED THE INFORMATION ON 13 FEBRUARY TO THE MFA, REFERRING IN PARTICULAR TO YOUR CONTACTS WITH THE OFFICES OF ZOU JIAHUA, NIE BICHU AND CHEN YUAN. THE MFA HAD IMMEDIATELY MADE ENQUIRIES OF THE OFFICES CONCERNED AND HAD NOW REPORTED BACK TO HIM THAT NONE OF THE OFFICES HAD ANY KNOWLEDGE OF INVITATIONS FROM THE BRITISH EMBASSY.

3. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE MESSAGE HAS FAILED TO GET THROUGH IN EACH CASE. GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD NOW DO WHAT IS REQUIRED TO PUT MATTERS RIGHT. YOU MIGHT WISH TO INVOLVE THE MFA OR AT LEAST KEEP THEM INFORMED. GRATEFUL FOR REPORT ON OUTCOME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

HURD

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