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NETWORK? (BACKGROUND: THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS, IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER MINISTRIES, HAS BEEN ATTEMPTING TO SET UP A RIVAL NATIONWIDE NETWORK. LATEST REPORTS SUGGEST A BODY CALLED LIAN TONG (UNITED COMMUNICATIONS) WILL BE ESTABLISHED, POOLING THE RESOURCES OF MOR, MINISTRY OF ENERGY, CITIC, A PLA ENTERPRISE AND OTHERS).
CONSTRUCTION MISSION
5. WE REGRET THAT THE ENVIRONMENT SECRETARY HAD TO DROP OUT BECAUSE OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS. MINISTER OF STATE, TIM YEO WILL TAKE HIS PLACE. WE WISH TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE THAT HMG ATTACHES TO THE MISSION. THE PARTICIPANTS ARE LEADING COMPANIES IN BRITAIN AND OVERSEAS, INCLUDING BALFOUR BEATTY, TAYLOR WOODROW, WIMPEY AND MCALPINE. SEVERAL (EG BALFOUR BEATTY AND TRAFALGAR HOUSE) HAVE EXPERIENCE IN CHINA. THE PARTY ALSO INCLUDES TWO EXPERIENCED BANKERS.
CONSTRUCTION MISSION AND THE CBTG PORTS MISSION (IN CANTON 22-24 SEPTEMBER) WILL BOTH BE WELL RECEIVED.
6.
WE HOPE THAT THE
GENERAL
7.
IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE ANY FURTHER FEEDBACK ON THE EXTENT OF CHINESE RESISTANCE TO FRENCH COMPANIES, HOW STRONGLY THIS IS MANIFESTED, AND WHETHER THE FRENCH ARE FINDING ANY WAYS AROUND RESTRICTIONS.
8. SIMILARLY, WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL TO HEAR WHETHER YOUR INTERLOCUTORS RAISE THE SUBJECT OF POSSIBLE SANCTIONS AGAINST BRITISH COMPANIES IF UK/CHINESE RELATIONS BECAME MORE TURBULENT.
CLARKE (2 SEC COMMERCIAL) HOPES TO JOIN YOU FOR LUNCH WITH CANTON COFERT ON 10 AUGUST.
9.
MCLEAN
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