CONFIDENTIAL
Cypher/Cat A
PRIORITY PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
263
Tno. 926
CONFIDENTIAL
4 October 1968
Addressed to F.G. telegram No. 926 of 4 October Repeated for information to:
260
Hong Kong.
Hong Kong telegram No. 2045: Naval Visits.
HVV
RECOED IN
ARCHIO No.63 -7 OCTROC
HWB 2/1
"Long
Obviously I should prefer this visit not to take place. Beach" is big and nuclear, the first large nuclear-powered vessel to visit Hong Kong since "Enterprise". Your telegram No. 1412 to Hong Kong indicated readiness to consider 2 additional visits a year by smaller (repeat smaller) nuclear vessels "depending on the state of our relations with China at any given time". Although relations have recently improved to some degree we are a very long way from being out of the wood altogether and visits like this risk delaying the process of normalisation.
2. Nevertheless I would not press these objections if you and Hong Kong have strong view to the contrary.
F.0. pass Priority Hong Kong
Mr. Cradock
[Rerated as requested]
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CONFIDENTIAL