TNAG-2802-FCO40-4042-Hong-Kong-six-monthly-meetings-of-foreign-ministers-1993 — Page 6

REC

021/1

CONFIDENTIAL

1993

From:

CO Hum

Date:

CC:

4 October 1993

PS

PS/Mr Goodlad

Sir J Coles

Mr Fry, FED

Sir R McLaren, PEKING Mr M Dinham,

Government House,

HONG KONG

?으

fax:

Kette

Mr Ricketts, HKd

SECRETARY OF STATE'S MEETING WITH CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER : 1 OCTOBER

1. There are one or two details about the Secretary of State's meeting with Qian Qichen which have not been recorded elsewhere.

2. The Secretary of State was very grateful for the proposal that he should present to Qian a set of the Hong Kong coins which will come into circulation next year. At the beginning of his discussion with Qian he noted that 1 October was Chinese National Day, offered his congratulations and then presented the coins. He described them as a symbol of Britain's cooperation with China for a smooth transition in Hong Kong. Qian listened attentively to the explanation and appeared to appreciate the gift.

3. At the meeting Qian was supported by about half a dozen officials. I believe that only one had Hong Kong rather than UN responsibilities: that was Zhao Jihua of the Hong Kong and Macao Office in the MFA. I had a word with him afterwards: he like me had flown in for 24 hours to cover the meeting.

4. Finally I should mention that Ms Y S Chu did her usual immaculate job as interpreter. The Secretary of State was very grateful to her for making the arduous journey from Hong Kong to help out at the meeting.

Cottam

CO Hum

CONFIDENTIAL

151