Cypher
CONFIDENTIAL
OUTWARD TELEGRAM
FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(The Secretary of State)
TO HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
Sent 17 May, 1967, 1605Z
IMMEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL
No. 939.
Draft
Below
68
Addressed to Governor Hong Kong. Repeated for information to Peking,
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" POLAD Singapore. "Washington.
Your telegram No. 612, paragraph 3.
In the interview with the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires ad interim reported in Foreign Office telegram No. 322 to Peking, de la Mare deliberately did not refer to events in Hong Kong but limited himself to the events of 16 May in Peking and Shanghai. This was partly because the seriousness of the Shanghai case made it necessary to call Shen Ping in immediately and the statement under preparation about Hong Kong (paragraph 4 of your telegram under reference) was not yet approved.
2.
But even if this had not been the case the Foreign Office would have had the gravest doubts about the usefulness of attempting to discuss Hong Kong with the Chinese here, The interview with Shen Fing gave us further evidence that, as we already suspected, he is dominated by his so-called interpreter Hsieh Chi-Mei, This man is a venemous character of the worst Red Guard type. Although Shen Ping speaks and understands English quite adequately he will not appear without Hsieh at his elbow and, in any discussion about Hong Kong the latter would not limit himself to interpretation, He would intervene, as he did at the interview under reference, with ever increasing violence and abuse, and would make any rational discussion impossible.
3. This would still be the case if Hsiung Hsiang-hui, the Chargé d'Affaires en titre, returned to his post. He also will not conduct official business without the presence of Hsieh.
(Passed D.S.A.0. for repetition Peking, Singapore
and Washington)
(Advance copies passed Mr. de la Mare, Mr. Bolland,
Mr. Wilson)
Distribution
FO/CO/WH. Distribution Copy also sent to:-
M.D.
Foreign Office CONFIDENTIAL
H.K. WID I,G.Do
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F.E. Dept.