R
020/5
1993
PSK
INC LX
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From: G Fry
Date: 17 June 1993
Sir J Coles Mr Ricketts, HKD
53
PA
VHSTRY ron Takery
M
Barte
CC:
Mr Hum
APS/Mr Goodlad
سل
А
TAIWAN: LADY THATCHER'S LUNCH FOR TAIWAN TRADE MISSION
1.
Lady Thatcher is hosting a lunch on Thursday 1 July for a delegation of top Taiwan businessmen who will be in the UK on a DTI sponsored Trade Mission. Other guests at the lunch will include senior British business people and Dr Eugene Chien, the head of the Taipei Representative Office. There is also a possibility that Jason Hu, the Taiwan Government Information Officer (and a Cabinet rank minister) will be there.
2. Lady Thatcher's office have asked whether Mr Goodlad would be able to attend the lunch. This would be an opportunity on suitably neutral territory for Mr Goodlad to meet Dr Chien and have contact with some major players in the Taiwan business community. Such contact would be a new step in our dealings with the Taiwanese, but the principle of taking it at an appropriate time was endorsed by Ministers in response to my submission of 18 May.
The situation is however complicated by two factors:
(i) The possible presence of Jason Hu. This would mean that Mr Goodlad's first contact with the Taiwanese was not only with Dr Chien but also a Taiwan Minister. Mr Hu is leading a delegation of Taiwanese journalists to the UK, who would not attend the lunch but might well get wind of a meeting.
(ii) The timing. The Governor of Hong Kong will be in the UK for talks on the same day. This will therefore be a sensitive moment for our relations with the Chinese.
3. On balance, therefore, I recommend that Mr Goodlad does not attend the lunch. We should look for some less sensitive timing for his first contact with the Taiwanese.
Grisham bay
G Fry
Far Eastern Department
WH 243
Ext: 270-2950
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