§ 60. Sir Anthony Royleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the official delegations from the People's Republic of China that will be visiting the United Kingdom during November 262W and December; which Ministers will receive these delegations; what other European Community countries the delegations will visit; at what ministerial level they will be received in those countries; and if, in the interests of good relations with China, he will ensure that Ministers of similar rank to other European countries receive these visitors.
§ Mr. LuardThe Vice-Minister of Communications, who is leading the Chinese delegation to the current meeting of the International Maritime Consultative Organisation, is being offered an official programme from 21st November to 3rd December by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Trade. The delegation is not visiting any other European Community countries.
The Chinese Minister of Foreign Trade is paying an official visit from 28th November to 5th December at the invitation of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade. Details of the delegation's programme are still being arranged. My right hon. Friend and a number of his cabinet colleagues expect to receive the Minister. The delegation then visits France. The arrangements for that visit are a matter for the French Government.
A Chinese Press delegation, led by Mr. Tseng Tao, is currently visiting Britain at the invitation of the Great Britain-China Centre. A reception has been arranged for the delegation by my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State on 16th November, and it will be received by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Science and Education on 24th November. This delegation has already visited Denmark as the official guest of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The delegation will visit Italy after leaving the United Kingdom. The arrangements in Italy are a matter for the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is the official host.
We shall always seek to ensure so far as possible that our reception of Chinese visitors at ministerial level promotes the development of good relations.