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funds for FEPOWs. Lord Braine might also serve on the committee. Mr Goodlad thought the Secretary of State would be willing to approach Lord Jenkin. Mr Fry said that the Japanese Labour Camp Survivors Group were now being more positive. They would support the new initiative but maintain their legal action against the Japanese government. An objective survey of survivors' needs was now required. the possible sale of Harrier to Japan, FED would submit soon on the implications for regional security and US attitudes. An Armistice commemoration was likely on or near VE day (the Foreign Secretary's favoured option). Some Far East veterans might object, but it was better to opt for this than for VJ day or an intermediate, and meaningless, date. Japan would no doubt be represented, if Heads of State were invited. visits, the Prince of Wales would visit Japan in January 1994. It was hoped that the Crown Prince and Princess might visit the UK. The Minister thought it would be good to get them and include Oxford in the programme. Mr Fry added that the Secretary of State might visit at Easter. The two Foreign Ministers were involved in the January conference. Mr Goodlad briefed on his recent lunch with the Japanese Ambassador. The ambitious political reform timetable, and rice tariffication would test the Labour party. He had the impression the Ambassador thought there would be another election before long. You mentioned a "Times" article suggesting a fall in Japanese investment in Britain. should ask the Japanese Embassy to put out the relevant facts and figures to contradict this. The Minister added that our share of Japanese investment in Europe was up and our exports to Japan were up 18.9% in the first half of the year.
CHINA
10. You reported that your recent meeting on China at Chevening had been useful. You hoped it would be repeated annually, with a real agenda. There were now various reports on China in the public domain speculating whether it would break up after Deng Xiaoping's death. The US and Japan foresaw a move to collective leadership under Jiang Zemin. Mr Goodlad said it might be helpful to broaden the debate here to take in businessmen, academics etc. You recalled that Shell had produced an excellent report on China which you would try to obtain. A working lunch with a few high-calibre businessmen from firms with adequate resources to cover China could prove rewarding. You mentioned that the Secretary of State was sceptical on aid for China. You believed in the value of continued aid on existing lines to promote Western values. But obviously we could not ignore the Hong Kong dimension. On visits, Mr Fry noted that the Chancellor might visit China in early January, unless talks on Hong Kong failed. Mr Goodlad said he still hoped to visit China in 1994. Mr Fry said that feedback on the FAC visit to
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