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needed to restrict the transfer of weapons of mass destruction and establish a system of arms openness and transparency on conventional sales. Mr. Kaifu had raised this issue in the Japanese Parliament and at the UN Disarmament Conference in Kyoto in May.
We needed a system of reporting to the United Nations on conventional arms sales. He knew Britain had the same view and we should consult.
The Prime Minister agreed. He discussed the French objections to the proposed Declaration and suggested that we and the Japanese should work together to try to persuade the French to accept comminique language. We were not seeking to duplicate the work of the Permanent Five, but we could not have a meeting of the G7 and not include in our statement the kind of sentiments
Mr. Kaifu had expressed.
China
The Prime Minister said that he expected to go to China in early September. We were very grateful for China's help over Hong Kong, and the Airport Agreement in particular. That help had been very well received in Britain. We should keep in touch and pool our assessments. In particular, the Prime Minister would welcome Mr. Kaifu's assessment following his own visit. He in turn would reciprocate.
Mr. Kaifu said he believed that both countries approached the issue on the same basis. It was important that China should not be internationally isolated. He took every opportunity to meet Chinese leaders in Tokyo and to impress on them the importance of Hong Kong - not just the airport but Hong Kong as a whole, as a centre of freedom and economic vitality. The future of Hong Kong was important for every Asian country. Japan had clear interests in a free and prosperous Hong Kong not least because of her own high level of investment in Hong Kong and the conduct of her relations with China through Hong Kong. During his forthcoming visit Mr. Kaifu would urge the Chinese that it was in their interest to develop a form of openness and to come closer to the West. After China he would go on to Mongolia. They too were following a policy of openness and Mr. Kaifu hoped the Prime Minister would give it his personal attention. I cannot pretend that Mongolia has loomed large in the Prime Minister's mind in recent weeks, but the Foreign Secretary came to the rescue and described the recent visit of the Mongolian Foreign Minister.
Vietnamese Boat People
The Prime Minister described the growing pressures on the camps in Hong Kong, our efforts to set up an international centre in Vietnam and the possibility that we might have to send back some double-backers.
Mr. Kaifu said that he knew that this was one of the most serious issues facing Hong Kong. He could understand why the British Government felt it necessary to consider unilateral
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