TNAG-2620-FCO40-3811-Official-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1992 — Page 24

HKD 026/12

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Morris

So Hal's clear Hen

Mr Sherrington Dr Bristow-Smith Mr I Davies

FROM:

DATE:

CC:

whew! 4/12

Minis

the whamefin What Ms 5/12

Ms James Jonath Vh Woodrowoln

8112

MINISTERIAL VISITS TO THE FAR EAST

of

Hugh Ll Davies

Far Eastern Department

2 December 1992

Private Secretary PS/Mr Goodlad PS/Mr Appleyard Mr Hum

Mr Ricketts, HKD Mr Love, DTI/OT2 Mr Fry, Tokyo

4/12

1. As our own plans for Ministerial visits firm up, we must

take account of planning now being carried out in the DTI for

visits to North East Asia by Mr Heseltine. I have become

aware of several scenarios under consideration: a visit to

China and Japan (and possibly Korea and Hong Kong) during the

Easter Recess; or during the Summer Recess; or even

conceivably during the Whitsun Recess. (We also know that

Mr Needham wants to be in Japan for the UK/Japan 2000 Group

in early March; and in Korea for the Forum for the Future in mid April during the Easter Recess).

2. For our part, we anticipate a visit to China by the Foreign Secretary (not yet to be mentioned to the Chinese)

during the Easter Recess which might also include Japan subject to a decision on the Prime Minister's travel. On

this we will shortly be putting to No 10 proposals for the

Prime Minister to visit Japan immediately after Easter. If

we are still in a major confrontation over Hong Kong when the Foreign Secretary goes to China it would certainly look odd

for Mr Heseltine to be there at the same time promoting

ministerialvst

CONFIDENTIAL

79