TNAG-2360-FCO40-3431-Visit-by-John-Major--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--Septem-1991 — Page 102

Sir J Coles

PS

CONFIDENTIAL

HKD 026/13.

RECEIVED

- 8 AUG 1991

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

FROM: D A Warren

Far Eastern Department

DATE:

31 July 1991

CC:

PS/Lord Caithness

Heads of:-

News Dept

HKD

PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO CHINA AND HONG KONG: ANNOUNCEMENT

A

1.

The Chinese have suggested that we should announce the Prime Minister's visit to China and Hong Kong on 2 August (or if that is not possible for us, 5 August). No 10 have provided a draft press

announcement.

2. We would be happy to

an announcement on 5 August. I submit a self-explanatory telegram to Peking, covering timing and content. The text makes minor amendments to that proposed by No 10:-

(a) to cover the Secretary of State's participation in the

visit;

(b)

(c)

to indicate that the Prime Minister is not going to Peking simply for the Hong Kong airport signature; and

to avoid giving the impression in Hong Kong that the visit there is just a formality.

CONE IDENTIAL

37