§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government have any plans to establish a consulate in Shanghai; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Rifkind:In August we reached agreement with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to open a consulate-general in Shanghai. China will open a consulate-general in a city in the United Kingdom still to be decided. Detailed negotiations are still in progress. Our consulate-general will open as soon as possible but we have not yet decided the exact date. This will be our first official representation in Shanghai since 1967. Our decision to open a consulate-general in Shanghai reflects the growing substance of Sino-British relations. The main activity of the post will be commercial.