C.C. (67) 54th 7/9/1967
SECRET.
Reference..
142
Extract from Minutes of a meeting of
the Cabinet held on 7/9/1967.
China
'Previous Reference: CC(67) 53rd Conclusions, Mirute 2)
Pressure on staff of the Office of the British Charge d'Affaires in Peking had recently been relaxed. We had been able to resume contact with our Charge d'Affaires and he was now being received again at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No grave damage seemed to have resulted from the occupation of the Office by the Red Guards and it was believed that no classified material had fallen into Chinese hands. After the attacks on our Office in Feking and the disorders in front of the Chinese Embassy in London the possibility of breaking off relations with China had been considered but had been rejected inter alia because of the possible repercussions on the British staff in Peking. The Foreign Secretary had sent a letter in relatively friendly terms to the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, but no reply had yet been received. The aid of the President of Pakistan had been enlisted in seeking the evacuation of our staff and their dependants; but no exit permits had yet been granted. Meanwhile police surveillance of the Chinese Embassy in London was continuing.
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63 12 SEP1967
HWA
3/2
SECRET