TNAG-2280-FCO40-3280-Anglo-Hong-Kong-Trust-1991 — Page 50

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Background

3. Hutchison Whampoa, which is owned by Mr Li Ka-Shing, is sponsoring a concert at the Festival Hall on 11 February, organised by the Anglo-Hong Kong Trust and the Chinese

Cultural Centre to mark a donation to the South Bank Centre

by two of the Trust's Council members. Mr Li Ka-Shing will

not be present, but Mr Simon Murray, the Managing Director of Hutchison Whampoa in Hong Kong, will be coming to London

for this occasion.

B

4.

The Anglo Hong Kong Trust was established by

Mr Algy Cluff and others in late 1988 to promote business and cultural links between the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. The Trust has also established a good working relationship with the Chinese Ambassador and is trying to develop the China dimension of their activities. Lord Young (then Secretary for Trade and Industry) and Lord Glenarthur, (then Minister of State in the FCO) hosted an inaugural dinner for the Trust in March 1989 and HRH The Prince of

Wales gave a lunch for members of the Trust during his visit to Hong Kong in November 1989. Mr Maude was the guest of honour at the Trust's dinner on 22 January 1990.

HRH Princess Alexandra and the Chinese Ambassador have

agreed to attend the concert/supper on 11 February.

5.

Mr Renton, the Minister for the Arts, has had to decline. But Lord Caithness has accepted an invitation.

6.

In view of the situation in the Gulf, I think it would be well understood by the organisers of this event if the Secretary of State was unable to attend, particularly as Lord Caithness will be present. When Mr Lidington indicated to Lord Derwent last month that the Secretary of State might not be able to attend because of the Anglo-German Summit - 11 February is one of a number of dates which have been put to the Germans for the Summit

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Lord Derwent said that

BATAJN/2

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