TNAG-2708-FCO40-3914-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-and-Par-1993 — Page 81

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CALL ON THE SECRETARY OF STATE BY DR JACK CUNNINGHAM, MP, 16 FEBRUARY 1993

CHINA: CHECKLIST OF POINTS

Bilateral

Understandably overshadowed by Hong Kong at present.

Good momentum in 1992 of high-level exchanges. Qian Qichen, Vice-Premier Zhu Rongji, Mayor of Shanghai, Rong Yiren (CITIC) visited UK. Prime Minister met Li Peng in Rio and in New York. Mr Needham to China three times in six months.

New enthusiasm for trade. CBTG 100-company mission in October 1992. CBTG mounting initiatives on "commercialisation" and invisibles.

UK exports up 20% 1992 (£430m) but imports from China also up (£954m).

EC/China

Restrictions on Heads of State level contacts and ban on arms sales/high level military contacts remain in force.

Human Rights

Lord Howe's mission (December 1992) successful. Report awaited. Will be published and put in Commons' and Lords'

libraries.

EC to sponsor UN Human Rights Commission resolution on human rights in China and Tibet. Chinese already lobbying against.

Human rights raised at all UK and EC high level contacts with Chinese.

Internal

14th Party Congress (October 1992) endorsed Deng Xiaoping's accelerated reform programme and "socialist market economy". Vice-Premier Zhu Rongji promoted to Politburo Standing Committee.

14th People's Congress due March 1993. Best predictions suggest Jiang Zemin to become President, Li Peng to remain Premier.

Economy

12% growth in 1992. New bout of decentralisation, devolving powers to provinces, municipalities, enterprises (like 1987/8 but better organised).

cllcunn1202

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