CONFIDENTIAL
Peking telegram No. 482 to Foreign Office
2
I therefore hoped that the Chinese Government would reflect very carefully before committing itself to a course which could only have the ill effects which I had already described.
Those arrested in Hong Kong would be dealt with in accordance with the due processes of law. The Hong Kong Government could not intervene. Those who were found to be innocent would be released. We did not use Fascist methods. Britain had spent seven years fighting Fascism.
8.
A representative of the West European Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs intervened at this point to say that Lo Kuei-po had given "an all round and correct answer" to the statement I had made but wished in particular to emphasize that my remarks regarding the mutual interests of China and Britain in Hong Kong not only distorted the facts but were the language of imperialism. The China of the cultural revolution could not be subjected to threats. I replied that there was no question of threatening China.
Foreign Office pass Immediate to Hong Kong 338 and Priority Washington 254.
Mr. Hopson
Sent 0700 15 May
Recd 0940Z 15 May
[Repeated as requested]
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SENT TO HONG KONG AS COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.) TELEGRAM NO. 914