CONFIDENTIAL
possible that the latter does not use Hong Kong
as a base for its sabotage and intelligence
activities against the Zainland.
Recreational visits of American warships and
Q
troops to Hong Kong have been recurring source
Prensasion in relations with China since
of
friction
escalation of the war in Vietnam, American
warships have been visiting Hong Kong since the
end of the Second World War. No war-like
facilities are provided for them. These visits
bring considerable economic benefits to Hong Kong
and play a part in maintaining public morale in
help
the colony. Moreover, they hope to keep the
Chinese guessing about American reaction to any
attack in Hong Kong. We have therefore rejected the
numerous Chinese protests about these visits while!
agreeing, nevertheless, with the Americans
general guide lines restricting their use of the
colony's facilities. Since "confrontation!
started the Chinese have not attempted to make an
issue of these visits (which have taken place on
much the same scale as before) although they have
continued to refer to them. There is no doubt
that they keep a close watch on them and parti-
cularly on any visits by nuclear powered warships.
The latest protest from the Peking Government on
this subject occurred as a result of a visit by
the nuclear powered aircraft "Enterprise" in May
this year.
CONFIDENTIAL
/After
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