TNAG-2910-FCO40-4185-International-support-from-Asia-regarding-the-future-of-Hong-1993 — Page 32

To

ATTACHED LIST

From

Paul Lawrance OT2/2a

KH 727

Miss állam

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Lisang with Mis cc Ewige/my. Kinoshita:

PS/MFT

Mr Roberts Mr Meadway

but have a word wichts Mr Love OT2/2

Mr Catlow OT2/22

215 5104

4 February 1993

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MINISTER FOR TRADE 'S VISIT TO JAPAN

BRIEFING

1.

The Minister for Trade is to visit Japan from 4 to 10 Marc! The main purpose of the visit is to attend the annual meeting c the UK/Japan 2000 Group, on 5-8 March. After this, he will t undertaking one full day, 9 March, (plus perhaps some of th afternoon of 8 March) of departmental business in Tokyo.

2. Briefing will be required both for the UK/Japan 2000 Grou and for the calls in Tokyo.

3. The style and format of briefing needs particularly carefu attention to meet MFT's known preferences. The Minister prefer concise and pithy material, but. it is essential that al substantial matters are covered fully enough for the brief t stand as a comprehensive reference statement of the issues to be covered, backed up by the supporting arguments or analysis to make the brief comprehensible and comprehensive without reference to other papers.

I.

UK/Japan 2000 Group

4. This is a senior discussion and study group of UK and Japanese politicians, industrialists, officials and academics, with its UK secretariat in the Royal Institute of International Affairs. Mr Needham is a founder member (as is Chris Patten, who may also be present) and has hitherto attended the annual conferences as a private individual and then a N Ireland minister.

5. We will prepare a separate briefing folder for the 2000 Group, offering the Minister specific lines to take on agenda items with a departmental interest

interest (conceivably all items!). This should enable the Minister to play an active part from a DTI/HMG point of view, as well as as an interested individual. For this folder, briefs should be limited to:

form

specific points to make (concisely, but in a which could be read out) and including any defensive points;

plus the absolute minimum of essential supporting background.