TNAG-2291-FCO40-3300-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Taiwan-1991 — Page 95

From: The Rt. Hon. Sir Geoffrey Howe, QC MP

HOUSE OF COMMONS

LONDON SW1A 0AA

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PERSONAL

7th March, 1991

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Can I trouble you (or your successor,

Mr Jamie: FED)

if it has

to that?) for advice upon the wisdom of our

accepting an invitation to visit Taiwan.

Plupeak.

RA?

14/3

The head of the Free Chinese Centre has told me, through Philip Goodhart, how much he would like to invite Elspeth and myself to visit Taiwan, for a private visit or to deliver a speech to the National University or their Institute of International Affairs. Apparently, should be able to choose the date and the topic, as well as the length of my visit.

I

As you could imagine, I am not overwhelmed by desire to accept the invitation, although it does have a certain curiosity value and I might be able to fit it in at one end or the other of a visit to Japan or Hong Kong. The question is whether it could be seriously. misunderstood if an ex Foreign Secretary were to embark upon a frolic of this kind.

Do you think you could possibly find the time to let me know the reaction of the powers that be to this possibility?

Robin McLaren Esq., CMG Foreign & Commonwealth Office

King Charles Street

London SW1

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