Sir D. Allen
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. Correc
255
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(245)
Problem
U.. Naval Visits to Hong Kong
It was agreed that there should be no formal review of
our policy on naval visits to Hong Kong (my submission of (45) 31 July) but that we should discuss informally with the
Americans in Hong Kong amendments and additions to the
interpretative notes to the guide lines to take into account,
in particular, the need to restrict the visits of nuclear
vessels to the present level and to space the visits of all
vessels adequately. The Hong Kong authorities were asked to
seek American agreement to a revision of the interpretative
notes on the following lines (C.0. telegrɑm No. 1346 to Hong
Kong).
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(249)
(a)
(b)
Visits of nuclear vessels should be spaced at intervals of
at least two months and the present level of four a year
should not in general be exceeded.
There should be no potentially controversial visits in
the two-week period following the visit of a nuclear-
powered vessel, strike carrier, or helicopter or troop
carrier.
(c)
The Americans should give us the maximum possible notice
of the visits of major ships.
(a)
Visits by "particularly controversial ships" (defined as
those which are nuclear-powered) might in future last less
than 5 days.
/ (e)
Any future
CONFIDENTIAL